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

Ward A Constable Mitch Perkins, Ward A. Justice of the Peace Kevin Hoffman, Sheriff James Pohlmann, Old Arabi Neighborhood Association President Mike Pechon and Parish President Guy McInnis at the Aycock Street Barn.	Sophia Dominick, at left in front, with friends neighbors and Sheriff Pohlmnann at her Night Out Against Crime party on St. Matthew Circle in Violet.
Families, including church members and neighbors, enjoy food and drink during the party.	Sheriff James Pohlmann with children outside a bounce house at First Pentecostal Church in Chalmette during a party for the celebration of National Night Out Against Crime on Oct. 18
Parish President Guy McInnis, Pastor Otto Martin and Sheriff James Pohlmann at the First Pentecostal Church community room in Chalmette for the Night Out Against Crime.	Residents at the party held at the Aycock Street Barn by the Old Arabi Neighborhood Association for the Night Out Against Crime event.

Five years ago Sophia Dominick began holding a neighborhood gathering to celebrate Night Out Against Crime from outside her home in the 2400 block of St. Matthew Circle in Violet.

That has grown into a large event moved to a circle in her street, where neighbors contribute to the food and drink and people mingle to talk.

“Every year it’s getting bigger and bigger. We pray here for our community, our police officers and for peace,’’ said Dominick.

Crime isn’t a big problem in the neighborhood and for that she is thankful and said she enjoys the party being a place where people can get together.

On Tuesday night, Oct. 18, just like Dominick, several hundred other St. Bernard Parish residents were attending a party to celebrate the National Night Out Against Crime.

Some were at homes, one was on the grounds of a Chalmette church, another under the open air of the Aycock Street Barn in Arabi, another at a lodge in Arabi. About 20 parties were held in Arabi, Chalmette, Meraux and Violet.

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

Sheriff Sheriff James Pohlmann visited a number of get- togethers, trumpeting the message that it’s the people of St. Bernard Parish who keep it a safe place by backing law enforcement and by being willing to call the Sheriff’s Office if they see something suspicious in their neighborhood.

“We couldn’t do our job without you,’’ the sheriff said.

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

For seven years, the First Pentecostal Church of Chalmette has put out a bounce center for kids on their church grounds, opened their community room and thrown a party for members and neighbors of the church 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.

“We bring people together who might not otherwise meet and talk,’’ Martin said.

At the church on Palmisano at East St. Bernard Highway, Sheriff Pohlmann spoke to parents and children, congratulating the group for having such large participation each year.

He 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.

Sheriff Pohlmann said if something doesn’t look right to you, call the S.O. at (504) 271-2501 and you could be helping prevent a crime.

Parish President Guy McInnis also said it’s great to see a large group that obviously cares about its parish.

At the Aycock Street Barn in Arabi, the Old Arabi Neighborhood Association had a party for those who lived in the area.

Group President Mike Pechon said it was “an opportunity for the community to get together and do a little getting-to-know their neighbors.’’

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.