Local News - August 2002

Neighbors celebrate ‘Night Out’

14 communities bond with police and city officials

By ALICE SMITH, LTN Staff Writer

August 7, 2002 - At the Sunrise Community Tuesday evening children squeal and shout as cool water shoots out of a fire hydrant into the air.

At Madeline Elmore’s house on West Main Street, Timothy Sturgis watches wide-eyed as a quarter disappears from the hands of businessman Cain Leonard and reappears on his forehead.

And at Siggy and Brigitte Hewald’s home in Lithia Hills, neighbors sit in a circle in the shade while speaking to the Mayor and other local officials.

These are just three of the 14 Lincolnton communities that are hosting parties as part of National Night Out.

Events are held throughout the city with the hopes of bringing people outside, letting them meet their neighbors and giving them the opportunity to know and trust city officials.

Sgt. Fred Hargro of the State Highway Patrol is attending the Walnut Grove Night Out event. While Walnut Grove is not officially involved with the city’s Night Out, the community decided to get involved, too.

Neighbors are an important part in the fight against crime.

“Knowing neighbors is half the battle,” Hargro says.

Hargro and members of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office passed out flyers and booklets about forming a community watch group.

Mike Owen, director of the Lincolnton Housing Authority says getting people to know each other is an important part of Night Out.

“They can depend on each other,” Owen says, while visiting a Flint Street event.

“It makes the community a lot more aware of who’s around them,” Firefighter Tony Jenkins says.

At the Sunrise Community, Nellie Kirkland dips fish into the powdery batter before someone comes along to drop it into a sizzling pan of hot oil.

“This brings forth an opportunity to get to know people better,” she says. “New friendships, a new meaning to sharing — and just for a moment, you feel like there are no problems.”

Sunrise community members say an estimated 300 to 350 people have been in and out of the event since it started.

Siggy and Brigitte Hewald have hosted Night Out since it started.

“We enjoy helping out in the neighborhood,” Siggy Hewald says. “There’s a sense of camaraderie.”

Police Capt. Roger Hilton says the presence of police in neighborhoods sends a message to criminals.

“In these days and times people don’t associate and get out like they used to,” Hilton says. “It gives the crooks a night off.”

City Council members and Mayor Bobby Huitt hop from one event to the next, visiting residents and listening to ideas.

Councilman Larry Mac Hovis says the turnout has been good. It’s almost like a family reunion, Hovis says.

“It’s good to get out in the neighborhoods,” Huitt says, before filling his plate with Night Out goodies.

Councilman Les Cloninger says learning who people are in the community is the purpose of Night Out. It also gives residents an opportunity to meet city officials, with whom they might not otherwise get a chance to talk to.

“It’s a chance for people with concerns to touch base with the City Council, the Mayor, planning board … ,” Cloninger says.

County Commissioner David Choate agrees.

“I think it’s great for the county and for the community involved,” he says. “I appreciate the people who make the effort to organize it.”

Police Chief Terry Burgin emphasizes the important of knowing, trusting and helping neighbors. The police can’t do it all, and that’s where the community comes in.

“The people are the ones who solve crimes or prevent them,” Burgin says.

“They realize they’re the first line of defense — and we’re just there to support them.”

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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