Numerous groups got together in St. Bernard Parish for the Night Out Against Crime to show support for one another

Rosetta Santiago, standing at left, and friends at her Night Out party on Guerra Drive in Violet.

Sheriff James Pohlmann talks to a crowd of parents, children and church officials at a Pentecostal Church gathering in Chalmette for the National Night Out Against Crime.	Sheriff Pohlmann with a group of young people outside a bounce tent on church grounds.
Raymond Dauterive, standing at left, at the Heart of Chalmette Neighborhood Association party he hosted on Park Boulevard. With him, from left, are Sheriff’s Office Det. Chuck Little, Maj. Adolph Kreger, Det. Lt. Richard Mendel and Steve Brandt of the association.	Neighbors at the party held by Gail Gowland, seconf from right, and Penny Hebert, at right, on West Carmack Drive.

Rosetta Santiago remembers getting down on the floor of her home in the 2400 block of Guerra Drive in Violet years ago to protect herself as gunfire erupted on the street outside.

Santiago, who has lived there about 40 years, said she began holding gatherings with friends and neighbors to celebrate the National Night Out Against Crime prior to Hurricane Katrina because she thought she needed to.

“It was bad around here then’’ because of criminal elements in the area, Santiago said. “It’s 99 percent better now. We cleaned it up. Now we are trying to keep it that way.’’
On Tuesday night she and friends were again holding a party outside to celebrate the National Night Out Against Crime.

Doing the same were several hundred St. Bernard residents at homes, on the grounds of a church and in communities including Arabi, Chalmette, Meraux, Violet and Poydras.

Sheriff’s deputies attended each event to give crime prevention tips and answer questions.

National National Out has been celebrated more than 30 years around the nation.

For several years, the First Pentecostal Church of Chalmette has put out a bounce center for kids on their church grounds and thrown a party for members to get together on the night.

Pastor Otto Martin said the goal is to get people together to support one another and let them know they have something in common – wanting to live safely.

At the church on Palmisano at East St. Bernard Highway, Sheriff James Pohlmann spoke to a large group of parents and children, saying he is proud of the safe environment St. Bernard Parish has enjoyed.

“We have great men and women working for the Sheriff’s Office,’’ the sheriff said, “but our success is also because of the people in our community’’ who support law enforcement and take the time to report any suspicious activity they see in their neighborhoods.

The sheriff attended a number of the get-togethers held by residents. He has said he supports National Night Out Against Crime as a way for people with something in common – the desire to protect their neighborhood against crime – to get together and pledge to look out for each other’s property.

On Park Boulevard in Chalmette, Raymond Dauterive, head of the Heart of Chalmette Homeowners Association, said he hosted their annual party because “you can stay in contact with people, Its good for the neighborhood.’’

Penny Hebert and Gail Gowland hosted a party on West Carmack Drive at the home of Hebert for the Chalmette Vista Neighborhood Association. “We do it so everyone gets to know their neighbors.’’ Gowland said.

Capt. Charles Borchers, director of Community Relations for the Sheriff’s Office and head of the Neighborhood Watch program, said, “Don’t hesitate to call us if you see something in your neighborhood that doesn’t look right to you,’’ Call the S.O. at (504) 271-2501 and you could be helping prevent crime such as a burglary or theft, Borchers said.

National Night Out Against Crime is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and was introduced in 1984 to strengthen participation in local anti-crime efforts.

The National Night Out campaign involves more than 30 million, including residents, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses and at military bases.