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 By JENNIFER TANGEMAN
Staff Writer
Few people exhibit an enthusiasm about historical artifacts as Jim Bowsher does.
When crews working for G.A. Wintzer and Son Co. started working to build new office space on West Auglaize Street, they came across some interesting finds where a rental home had previously sat.
Jim Kent and others of Kent Surveying began finding pieces of artifacts. They called in local history buff, Bowsher, to try to figure out what the bits and pieces meant.
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Friday, 31 July 2009 |
By KAREN CAMPBELL
Assistant Managing Editor
Local law enforcement are inviting residents to a block party at Harmon Park to celebrate the 7th annual Auglaize County National Night Out in Wapakoneta on Tuesday.
From 7 to 9 p.m. residents may come to the park to enjoy hot dogs, chips, drinks and ice cream, win free giveaways, watch demonstrations, and meet local law enforcement personnel.
“We’re still giving crime and drugs a going away party,” Wapakoneta Police Chief Dave Webb said. “It also is a way for the public to interact with law enforcement and the public safety community. We’ve got to all work together to fight these problems, which are increasing.
“This type of interaction makes it easier to solve crimes,” he said. “Even in a high-tech world, interaction like this is still important.”
Webb said the event encourages members of the community to continue to look out for each other as part of a “community policing concept.”
He said specifically, residents should get to know their neighbors to the point where they know if something is not right and then report any suspicious behavior they see.
The area has seen a slight increase in burglaries and other criminal activity, Webb said.
“National Night Out is for everybody young and old,” Webb said. “We want every age to come.”
A majority of law enforcement from throughout the county plan to be in attendance at the local event which is being held as part of the 26th annual national event in cities and communities across the country.
Law enforcement from departments throughout the county plan to bring their cruisers, bikes, motorcycles and K-9s for residents to check out. County rescue squads and fire departments plan to bring their equipment as well. Also scheduled to be in attendance are the Auglaize County DARE officer, the county dog warden and director of the Emergency Management Agency.
The LifeFlight helicopter plans to arrive at approximately 7 p.m.
A K-9 demonstration by all three dogs in the county is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. in the Harmon Park Gazebo.
Alan Davis Insurance Agency is planning to do children’s identification and fingerprinting.
There are to be giveaways throughout the night of two bikes, helmets, locks and other accessories at the event, which typically draws in at least a couple hundred people.
Jennie Horner of the Brain Injury Association plans to be available to assist with properly fitting bike helmets.
“It seems like the event is growing more and more each year,” Webb said. “I’d like to think people are more concerned about their neighborhoods, that they want to support safety services, and for parents it’s a neat thing for their children to see the equipment and interact with the officers.”
The event is sponsored by police, fire and rescue squad as well as the Wapakoneta Noon Optimist Club.
Webb said he hopes residents, especially children, walk away from it feeling more comfortable with law enforcement, seeing them as people they want to interact with rather than someone just there to make arrests.
According to information from the National Association of Town Watch, which sponsors the event, the night is meant as a unique crime and drug prevention effort designed to heighten awareness, generate support and participation in local anticrime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
While there is an tradition of showing support for the event by displaying outdoor and front porch lights, communities across the country are joining together for block parties, cookouts and visits with local law enforcement Tuesday night.
Last year, the National Night Out Campaign occurred in more than 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. More than 37 million people participated in the National Night Out in 2008.
Helping to make the local event possible in Wapakoneta are Marlene Froning, Dayton Children’s Medical Center, Community Market, Wal-Mart, Kah Meats, J & D Bicycle Shop, John Klay, Wendy’s, McDonald’s and Dad’s Toy Shop.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 03 August 2009 )
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