Montgomery County first responders are looking forward to National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 5 to meet with residents and join in as residents enjoy a night with their neighbors.
More than two dozen events will occur throughout the county, according to County Executive Marc Elrich.
The idea of National Night Out is “to strengthen the relationship that makes communities safer,” explained Assistant Police Chief Nicholas Augustine. Police officers will be greeting and talking with residents at 20 events, he said.
Olney is celebrating its 30 annual National Night, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and the Olney Chamber of Commerce. Police, firefighters and county recreation employees will attend the award-winning festivities.
In Takoma Park, the event runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Piney Branch Elementary School on Maple Avenue.
Casey Community Center on Frederick Avenue will be the scene for National Night Out in the City of Gaithersburg.
For other events, check social media and neighborhood newsletters.
Overall crime in the county is down 13% so far this year compared to the same time in 2o24, Elrich said during his weekly news briefing.
Property theft is down 13% and motor vehicle theft is down 25%, he noted.
Despite “significant” staffing vacancies, Montgomery County Police Department has reacted to more than one million calls into its emergency call center during the past 18 months, he said.
There have been 2,800 thefts of property from cars, Augustine noted. He urged residents to keep their car doors locked and property out of view. He also advised everyone to park in well-lit areas and never leave their car running.
Police are adding extra patrols in an attempt to limit driving while impaired. Last year, 24% of fatal car crashes involved a driver who was driving while impaired, Augustine said.
For the past nine weeks – since Memorial Day – police officers have stopped 950 drivers who appeared to be driving while impaired, which led to 134 arrests, Augustine said.
He urged everyone to stay alert, noting, “Public safety is a shared responsibility.”
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