Towns across Michiana were part of 15,000 communities participating in the National Night Out on Tuesday. The goal is to create awareness of crime, to help neighbors get to
know one another, and to encourage people to get involved in crime watch
groups.
Mishawaka residents gathered to talk to the mayor and police about any crime concerns they have and to hear what's being done.
Wilma Barnes is one of the residents who attended. She says Crime Watch is alive and well in her neighborhood. "I live in the middle of the block and I got one at each end of the block... when we hear something, we pass it on so everyone's informed out here," said Barnes.
On this night, some communities hold block parties and cookouts or keep it as simple as putting on their porch lights as a show of solidarity against crime. In Elkhart, folks got together on the Civic Plaza downtown for a celebration that included hot dogs, popcorn and even a ferris wheel for the kids.
Officers with Elkhart Police say their goal was to get everybody out to mingle, meet their neighbors and meet the officers that serve them in a fun way. Officers say it gives them more time to socialize with residents than they normally have on the job.
Sergeant Wayne Bias said no tax dollars are spent on rides like the ferris wheel, they were generously donated by the community.
