Racine to mark National Night Out on Tuesday

By Journal Times staff

Tuesday, August 5, 2008 4:10 PM CDT

RACINE — Tuesday, Aug. 5, marks the 25th anniversary of National Night Out, America’s night out against crime, drugs and violence in neighborhoods. Racine will celebrate at nearly 70 events throughout the area, along with over 10,000 communities and over 34 million people nationwide.

This year’s kickoff will take place from 5 to 5:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, 2065 Geneva St., in the rear parking lot.

The community is invited. The kickoff features local public officials including state Sen. John Lehman, Racine County Executive Bill McReynolds and Mayor Gary Becker. The county executive and mayor will present a joint proclamation and local law enforcement and fire departments will be in attendance as well.

Because the City of Racine decided to make NNO a city-sponsored event, street closings for block parties on this evening are free of charge. NNO official event visitors will include members of the Racine Police Department, Racine Fire Department, Racine County Sheriff’s Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, and McGruff, the Crime Dog.

Target is the exclusive national sponsor of NNO and has been very generous with in-kind and volunteer support. Racine NNO also receives outstanding support locally from SC Johnson, Racine County Food Bank, We Energies, Great Northern Corp., Habush Habush & Rottier, Borzynski Farm & Floral Market and many neighborhood businesses.

The kickoff goes until 5:30 p.m. but the NNO event continues until 8:30 p.m.

The Mexican Fiesta theme at this year’s Trinity Lutheran NNO unites neighbors, the congregations of Trinity Lutheran and Primera Iglesia Luterana, and the City of Racine with its newest sister city of Zapotlanejo in Jalisco, Mexico. The public is invited to attend the kickoff and remain for the event.

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