Thursday, August 6, 2009

National Night Out in Silver Spring

Tuesday, August 4, 2009 – Silver Spring, Maryland, Residents living in 5 Weed & Seed Communities came together this evening to celebrate the 26th Annual National Night Out, America’s Night Out against crime. Northwest Park, Avery Park and The Hamptons continued their annual tradition of hosting events and were joined this year by properties managed by Southern Management Corporation, Hampshire West and Chateau.

Children were treated to Montgomery County Police Department’s continued tradition of having a motorcade of police vehicles announcing their arrival with lights and sirens. Captain Donald Johnson, Commander of MCPD’s 3rd Police District was among them handing out tri-glow necklaces and other freebies to children and youth. Accompanying Captain Johnson was Lieutenant Robert McCullagh, Deputy Commander of the 3rd Police District and Co-Chair of the Weed & Seed Program’s Steering Committee.

“I really love coming back here to these communities!” stated Councilmember Valerie Ervin of Montgomery County’s 5th District as she was greeted by Luther Hinsely, President of the Avery Park Community Association. Ms. Ervin was part of the MCPD motorcade that traveled throughout Silver Spring during National Night Out 2008 and chose to return to visit Weed & Seed communities along with Amparo Macias her Constituent Liaison Representative.

By helping to coordinate 5 separate localized community events, the Weed & Seed program hopes to assist property managers and association presidents capitalize on the high attendance and feeling of goodwill to promote resident participation in on-going community projects like neighborhood watch programs, quality of life committees, and community engagement programs.

Weed and Seed is a U.S. Department of Justice program that provides more than $1 million in funding over a five-year period to help communities provide focused law enforcement activities to “weed-out” persistent criminal activity, while at the same time “seeding-in” with human services and community-building programs. With the Weed and Seed Model, community leaders work hand in hand with law enforcement officials, educators, government agencies and non-profits to help grow safe and healthy communities.

For more information about the Weed and Seed Program contact Victor Salazar at the Silver Spring Regional Services Center (301) 565-5847.

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