St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office to participate

in Night Out Against Crime

There’s no doubt St. Bernard Parish is one of the safest communities around the New Orleans metropolitan area. While St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office deputies do a fine job of protecting our residents, citizens also can play a pivotal role in making their hometown a safe place to live and raise a family.

One such way residents can get involved is to host or attend a gathering in their neighborhood in observance of National Night Out Against Crime.

Although National Night Out is held in August across the country, several local leaders in Southeast Louisiana opted in 2011 to move the event to October to escape the summer heat.

On Tuesday, Oct. 16, the 35th annual event will be held locally in an effort to strengthen neighborhood bonds and increase crime prevention awareness, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

“We encourage residents to get together as a way to show they want to take a stand against crime,” Sheriff Pohlmann said. “It’s a great way to foster relationships between neighbors and fight crime in their neighborhood.”

Sheriff Pohlmann and Sheriff’s Office deputies will visit various gatherings on the evening of the 16th to meet residents and answer any questions they may have about law enforcement issues and crime prevention.

Capt. Charles Borchers, head of community relations and longtime Crime-Prevention and Neighborhood Watch director for the Sheriff’s Office, said about two dozen events are held in St. Bernard each year, some at churches and public places, as well at private homes.

For more information about Night Out Against Crime activities, call Capt. Borchers at (504) 278-7628.