By Brielle Saggessee
To celebrate and discuss Carmel’s safety, the Carmel Police and Fire Departments will host the 2015 National Night Out on Aug. 4. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. community members can visit the Carmel Gazebo for food, giveaways, kids activities and the opportunity to ask Police and Fire Department personnel any questions they might have.
Officer Donald Schoeff said that this event is just as much a celebration as it is an educational experience.
“National Night Out is an opportunity for us to bring the community together in excitement for our community being so supportive of public safety,” Schoeff said. “We encourage people throughout the community to come together with us and discuss the crime prevention efforts they have within their own neighborhoods. We recognize that although we have a great Police Department, our services are extended when we have community members who are in support of keeping their neighborhoods safe.”
As noted by its name, National Night Out is an event that Police and Fire Departments host across the country. In Carmel’s previous years, the night was celebrated in several different neighborhoods as opposed to one meeting place.
This year will be the third year that the event uses the Carmel Gazebo as a central meeting location. Attendees are asked to bring their own tables and chairs as well as food for a pitch-in dinner.
Schoeff said that although Carmel already has strong security departments, National Night Out can only improve the town’s awareness of its safety measures.
“That’s the great thing about the community of Carmel: we have a great collection of community members that are looking out for one another and as long as we encourage and continue to grow that awareness, it will help everyone in the community.”
