National Night

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.

Like fireflies on a hot summer evening, politicians buzz about during National Night Out every year. Last night in Howard County was no exception, as political faces lighted up for photo opportunities and impromptu meetings. From County Executive James N. Robey to Del. Shane Pendergrass, local politicians swarmed Night Out events at places such as Long Reach and Harper's Choice. As National Night Out has grown during the past 18 years, it has attracted the politics that go along with more established community events such as town fairs and Fourth of July parades.

In Baltimore City and Baltimore County, dozens of communities participated in National Night Out last night, sponsoring events that included cookouts and parades. In Washington Village/Pigtown in the city, about 150 people enjoyed a cookout and fellowship. A small parking lot tucked amid stretches of rowhouses became a gathering spot where children decorated the pavement with chalk drawings, and parents served burgers, baked beans and cake. "There's a playground nearby that often has trouble with teen-agers hanging out there, and kids don't always feel safe playing there," said Chris Ryer, executive director of Washington Village/Pigtown Neighborhood Planning Council.

Dozens of Harper's Choice residents gathered with Howard County police officers and officials yesterday evening at the village center to send a message of intolerance to criminals. A picniclike atmosphere marked Harper's Choice's third year of participation in National Night Out, a program that brings residents outdoors to discourage crime. "Just look around; this is what it's all about," said Police Chief Wayne Livesay, as he surveyed the crowd of children, officers and other community members drawn to the event.

Baltimore County police announced yesterday activities that communities in nearly every part of the county have planned for today's National Night Out. The annual event was created in 1984 to encourage community members - along with police officers - to come together to fight crime. Picnics, parades, block parties and foot patrols are among the planned events. Eighteen communities in the county will be participating in local versions of National Night Out, which runs 7 to 10 o'clock. Outreach officers assigned to the precincts worked with community members to plan events.

State and local police are inviting Carroll County residents to join tonight in a national anti-crime celebration. Festivities will begin at 6 pm. in Sykesville and Westminster, where residents are asked to turn on out-side lights, lock their doors and spend the evening outdoors with neighbors to celebrate the 17th annual "National Night Out." "We're celebrating the fact that we have a very low crime rate," said Lt. Terry Katz of the Maryland State Police, who noted an 8 percent drop in thefts the first six months of the year.

Two rallies are scheduled in south county - one in Shady Side and another on the Annapolis City Dock - for "National Night Out," tomorrow's crime prevention event in which neighbors turn on porch lights as a show of solidarity against crime and drug abuse. Anne Arundel County Police will be at the Lula Scott Community Center in Shady Side for an event from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. that is co-sponsored by the Churchton-Shady Side community group, Renno's market and local churches. "It's a great opportunity for neighbors to get together and meet each other," said Deborah Mackell, the group's vice president.

Many residents attended parties and picnics in front yards as Howard County participated in a crime prevention program during yesterday's National Night Out. The 16th annual crime-fighting event calls on residents across the country to turn on their porch lights and go outside to meet neighbors and police officers. About two dozen Howard communities participated in this year's activities, which were organized by the county Police Department's community services section and featured appearances by McGruff the crime dog and crash-test dummies "Vince" and "Larry."

"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.

North Laurel residents gathered at a small cookout last night and said they weren't particularly worried about crime -- mostly just concerned about cars speeding on their winding streets."