On Tuesday, August 3rd the Office of Neighborhood Involvement organized a National Night Out to support the role of community partnerships in crime prevention. Three parole/probation officers (PPOs), Carl Green, Diane Wade and Erick Montgomery, participated in the event at the New Columbia Villa to represent the Department of Community Justice (DCJ). Commissioner Barbara Willer from District 2 also participated in the event.
Participants enjoyed live music and a barbeque made possible with food donations, and heard inspirational speeches from both policymakers and community members. The non-profit organization, CREW was on-site to help set-up and break-down the event. Similar activities were simultaneously occurring around the Portland area to allow the community to speak with the Mayor, City Commissioners, Police, Fire, Emergency Management, Emergency Communications, and other public safety staff.
Parole/Probation Officer Carl Green said, “National Night Out for me was a start to build relationships with people in the community I did not know. With a relationship comes trust to build an effective partnership.”
Jessica Harrison a parole/probation officer with the Domestic Violence Unit who attended the event as a community member said “These events are a way for the community to come together in a positive way”.
For more information on National Night Out or the Crime Prevention Program please go to www.portlandonline.com/oni/nno