DATE: July 20, 2018         
CONTACT:
Janelle Love
Media Relations Office
301-609-6538 or (240) 419-0646

CCSO Invites Charles County Residents to National Night Out
Police and Neighbors Come Together for Annual Community Event

Calling all neighbors! On Tuesday, August 7, 2018, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., neighborhoods throughout Charles County are invited to team up with thousands of communities across the country for the 35th Annual National Night Out (NNO). Sheriff Troy Berry and members of the CCSO will join residents to celebrate the community’s shared alliance against crime, drugs and violence. Representatives from Charles County Crime Solvers, Explorers Post #1658 and even McGruff the Crime Dog and McGruff’s nephew Scruff will be out to meet residents.

Registration forms are available on the CCSO’s website. In order to be officially recognized as participating in National Night Out, neighborhoods must register with the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. To register your neighborhood to participate, find out if your neighborhood is participating, or to make a donation to NNO, contact Community Organizer Connie Gray at 301-932-3080.

The National Association of Town Watch (NATW) launched National Night Out in 1984. According to the website, NATW.org, “National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. ”

Neighborhoods across Charles County will host block parties with food, games, music, and other activities. Many residents will light their porch lights to demonstrate their support for NNO. “We look forward to National Night Out every year,” said Sheriff Berry. “We really get to see the best of Charles County, as citizens and law enforcement get together to enjoy the camaraderie and take a stand against crime. It is a great example for our kids and future generations to keep this wonderful tradition going strong.”

The CCSO is also holding its annual coloring contest for children ages 4-12 in participating neighborhoods. Neighborhood representatives will be provided with the coloring pages after their neighborhoods are registered for National Night Out. The coloring pages can then be distributed to the children in their particular communities. The artwork is due by August 31st and can be turned in to any CCSO district station or to the Community Services office located on Audie Lane in La Plata. The pages are judged, and two winners will be selected from several age groups. The winners will be notified by mail, and awards will be presented in October.

For over 20 years, the National Association of Town Watch has recognized Charles County’s participation by awarding the agency its Category II Award for Community Participation.

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is a full-service law enforcement agency comprised of more than 600 police, corrections and civilian personnel responsible for protecting more than 150,000 residents. The CCSO was accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) in 2001 has been designated as a CALEA Gold Standard of Excellence agency since 2011. Established in 1658, the CCSO is one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the United States. For more information, visit www.ccso.us.

Charles County Crime Solvers offers rewards of up to $1,000 for information that leads to the arrest or indictment of a person responsible for a crime in Charles County. All individuals who provide tips through Crime Solvers will remain anonymous. Anyone with information about an unsolved crime or the location of a fugitive may contact Charles County Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted online at www.charlescountycrimesolvers.com or by using the P3Intel mobile app, which can be found in the Android Store and Apple store by searching P3tips. For more information about the P3 program, click on this link: www.p3intel.com.