Tonight, Alex Knight plans to fight crime in his neighborhood of Hunt Club Forest - with a pair of barbecue tongs.
That's because Knight, the interim president of the civic association, will be helping to grill hot dogs for a crowd of his neighbors and community members as part of this year's celebration of National Night Out Against Crime.
"Last year, we had over 200 people," he noted. "We provide the hot dogs and drinks until they're gone."
In addition to the food, Knight said that there will be carnival-style games for children, a DJ and talks by Virginia Beach Police Chief Jake Jacocks and State Del. Sal Iaquinto.
"It's free of charge," he said. Organizers are hoping to have one or two emergency vehicles on site for viewing.
Activities will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hunt Club Park at 2100 Grey Fox Lane. Knight can be reached at 430-3695 or nislex@cox.net.
National Night Out, a crime and drug prevention awareness program, also marks its 25th anniversary today. It was started by Matt Peskin, the executive director of the National Association of Town Watch.
The night is held on the first Tuesday of August each year to bolster neighborhood camaraderie, as well as community and police relations.
According to the watch association, neighborhood events and the traditional display of outdoor lights let criminals know that communities are organized and are fighting back.
Like Hunt Club Forest, the food and music are free during National Night Out at the Rosemont Unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia.
"We have invited the members of the club and their families to come to a cook-out," director Alissa Landry said.
"Everyone that attends can make a free T-shirt celebrating National Night Out. The children will also be making their own ice cream with different toppings."
Hours are from 4 to 7 p.m., and Landry can be reached at 368-4445.
According to organizer Darren Buss, the Chesapeake Beach Civic League's celebration will start at 7 p.m. behind HK on the Bay on Lookout Road. Food and drinks will be provided, along with safety info, T-shirts for the first 50 adults, and coloring books for the kids.
Across the 26 streets and 1,267 homes of the Kempsville Lake Community, block-wide cookouts are the norm for National Night Out.
"For many," said community association general manager Jessica Kirkland, "this is a time to socialize and interact with neighbors in the name of safety, visibility and the reduction of crime."
Cyndi Kight, kightcw@yahoo.com
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