National Night Out at Dares Beach. Photo by Marty Madden

Communities in Southern Maryland are “mad as hell and not going to take it anymore.” That’s the idea of National Night Out – to bring communities and law enforcement together to take their communities back from the criminal element and those thinking about committing crimes.

National Night Out (NNO) has been held annually since 1984. It is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch in the United States and Canada. The event is sponsored by the sheriff’s departments in Charles and St. Mary’s and Neighborhood Watch in Calvert.

Each community organizes its own event in cooperation with the sponsors. They especially are geared to children, with games to engage them and show them that the police are real human beings who are there to help them.

Wicomico Shores in St. Mary’s County is one example of what a community does for National Night Out.  The celebration occurred across from the Wicomico Shores club house. Guests could talk to and interact with organizations such as, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs mascot Pinch, SoMd Jeepers, Truth Bmx Products and Elite Beatz.

Also in attendance at Wicomico Shores was St. Mary’s County Commissioner John O’Connor [R; 3rd District]. Other politicians attended various events in their districts. Delegate Matt Morgan [R; District 29A] made a stop at the Country Lakes event before moving on to others.

Events are organized by numerous volunteers. At Wicomico Shores Missy Coppins and Megan Montgomery made sure that everything went according to plan. “We really just want the community to come to together, and bring back that sense of community,” said Coppins.  

In Calvert 13 communities took part in NNO. In St. Mary’s 21 communities participated.

The attached Photo Gallery includes activities at Chesapeake Ranch Estates, Long Beach and Calvert Beach, and Dares Beach in Calvert. Communities in St. Mary’s covered are Country Lakes, Seventh District (at the firehouse), Wicomico Shores, Colony Square, Westbury, Spring Valley and Town Creek

The Bay Net Photo Gallery is by Ron Bailey, Charles Seifert, Marty Madden and Dick Myers

Contact Dick Myers at dick.myers@thebaynet.com