Smithfield, Isle of Wight host National Night Out
Published 1:58 pm Monday, October 9, 2023
- Landon Watson gets a driver’s-seat view of a Virginia Marine Police jet ski. (Photos by Stephen Faleski | The Smithfield Times)
Smithfield’s Police Department and Isle of Wight County’s Sheriff’s Office each held National Night Out festivities on Oct. 3.
The SPD’s festivities were at the Luter Sports Complex in town while the Sheriff’s Office event was at the Benn’s Grant housing development.
The SPD, starting in 2021, joined with communities in Texas to move their festivities to the first Tuesday in October, when temperatures are cooler, rather than the nationally recognized first Tuesday in August. This year, for the first time, the Sheriff’s Office also moved its festivities to the October date.
The Windsor Police Department and Surry County Sheriff’s Office each observed the August date this year.
National Night Out, according to its website, began in 1984 via a network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, crime prevention associations and volunteers to coordinate events in 23 states. The event is intended to build relationships between local law enforcement personnel and the citizens they serve.
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- Sgt. Christopher McGough works the Smithfield Police Department booth at the department’s National Night Out festivities.
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- Angie Agar, Jadan Bennett and Shannon Bennett exhibit literature for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
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- Dee and Jerome Clements play on the Luter Sports Complex football field with sticks and ropes intended to create large bubbles.
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- Smithfield High School chorus students Jordan Pollard, Avery Hiltz, Kevonte Morgan and Catherine Day get an up-close look at the trunk of a Virginia State Police patrol car after performing at National Night Out.
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- The Smithfield Packers Youth Sports cheerleaders perform.
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- Joel Tate, Kate Bebermeyer and Summer Butler work the tent for Smithfield Scout Troop 3 and Sea Scouts Ship 37.
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- Sebastian Wellons, Natalie Roberts, Lyon Gibbs and Kinsley Shivers browse the vendor booths at the Smithfield Police Department’s National Night Out.
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- Calvin White, wearing a blue shirt with a sleeve badge, is dressed for the occasion at National Night Out. With him is his father, Ernest, and sister, Daphne.
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- Janet Warren, Ariasiah Hendricks, Janae Pierce and Ramone Pierce with Smithfield Packers Youth Sports look around the parking lot at the police and fire vehicles on display.
