National Night

Residents in about 25 neighborhoods countywide gathered last night at block parties and picnics to mark the 10th Howard County National Night Out Against Crime.Neighbors munched on hot dogs, coleslaw and watermelon, met new residents and got reacquainted with old ones.At parties in North Laurel and Long Reach village in Columbia, residents said the crimes committed in their neighborhoods were minor and that they hope a close-knit community will keep it that way."This is an excuse to get together," said Will Geckle, a seven-year resident of the Kendall Ridge neighborhood in Long Reach.

Many residents of Carroll County are expected to join more than 25 million people from 8,500 communities in all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canada and military bases around the world tonight for the 10th annual "National Night Out."National Night Out is intended to heighten awareness of crime- and drug-prevention and generate support and participation for local anti-crime efforts.Organizers also hope it will strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community relations, sending a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Little Shuter Street Park was built nearly two decades ago for children. But the East Baltimore playground was overtaken by drug dealers more interested in creating havoc than good will.Police had enough, and in the past month officers cracked down on crime in the Middle East neighborhood, in the shadow of Johns Hopkins Hospital and in the heart of the federally designated empowerment zone.Using the park as a community centerpiece, police, community groups and hospital officials are planning a parade and picnic starting tomorrow afternoon -- a kickoff for National Night Out Against Crime.

No prosecution of man whose son got gun, shot himself Howard County prosecutors said Monday that they will drop a gun charge filed against a White House Secret Service officer whose 3 1/2 -year-old son shot himself after grabbing the officer's loaded, unlocked service weapon from the top of the family's refrigerator. Kenneth John Bouley, 33, had been scheduled for trial Aug. 28 on a charge of allowing access to firearms by minors, but Howard County State's Attorney Marna L. McLendon said that the facts of the case don't meet the "difficult" burden of proof required by the 9-year-old statute.

In celebration of National Night Out, a national crime-prevention campaign encouraging neighbors to build a sense of community, the Wilde Lake Community Association will offer a pizza party for village residents from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at Slayton House in the Wilde Lake Village Green. Tickets, which are limited to the first 100 people, are available at Slayton House. The event will be held rain or shine. National Night Out is designed to help communities pull together to fight drugs and crime and to promote police-community partnerships.

Maryland State Police, with a little help from their Mount Airy friends and neighbors, will remind residents Tuesday that crime prevention begins at home.The troopers' official launch of the 1995 National Night Out will begin at 6 p.m. in the heart of Mount Airy's historic business district at the Municipal Parking Lot on Park Avenue.The public is encouraged to attend the free crime prevention extravaganza, which will include law enforcement displays, a citizens' march and an indoor rally at American Legion Gold Star Post 191.The event will begin with a law enforcement display from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the town parking lot, state police spokesman Lt. Greg Shipley said.

From 8 to 10 tonight, in an act of unity, many city residents will turn on their lights and sit on their front stoops chatting with their neighbors in a symbolic stand against crime.The eighth annual National Night Out will be celebrated with marches, parades, candlelight vigils, block parties and other demonstrations in Baltimore and across the country.The nationwide event was organized around the crime-fighting concepts of the Pennsylvania-based National Association of Town Watch, which promotes crime prevention and circulates a national newsletter.

"NO DRUG sales!" the members of the crowd -- 10 to 15 children, a smattering of adults and three Baltimore sheriff's deputies -- chanted as they marched east on Baltimore Street to the corner of Highland Avenue.It was a mild Tuesday evening, sunny, around seven-ish. Other members of this East Baltimore community stood on the four corners of the intersection. These were the law-abiding ones, the ones who had come to this National Night Out Against Crime to say they had had enough of the drug dealers, the addicts and the crime they bring.

CENTRAL National Night Out party is Aug. 1 Westminster City Police will sponsor a National Night Out event block party Aug. 1. Neighborhoods are encouraged to hold their own parties in the evening. City police will provide activities such as face painting, swimming, food, crafts and games. Information: 410-848-4646. Finksburg council's picnic is Thursday The Finksburg Planning and Citizens Council will hold its annual picnic at 6 p.m. Thursday at Sandy Mount Park. All residents are welcome.

Diane Stephan has attended the National Night Out ceremonies at PNC Bank's parking lot in Westminster the last few years for one reason - her grandson. "My grandson enjoys it," said Stephan, opening a bag filled with candy. "It's like Halloween. He won a gift card from Target. " Celebrated around the nation for the last 28 years, National Night Out festivities revolve around local law enforcement and communities coming together in a fun setting. In Westminster, there were five different communities celebrating on a pleasant warm Aug. 2 evening.