Police departments are sponsoring National Night Out events across the area from 6 to 9 p.m. today.
Residents of Mount Carmel and Mount Carmel Township, Shamokin, Sunbury and Zerbe Township are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights to their residences and spend the evening with neighbors and police. The aim is to get the community involved in crime and drug prevention and awareness.
Police, firefighters and emergency personnel will interact with residents and host contests, demonstrations and youth activities.
Food, beverages and entertainment will be available at each event.
Shamokin
Shamokin's event will be held at Claude Kehler Community Park, Third and Arch streets. The band Red Halo will perform and so will the Shamokin Area cheerleaders. City Patrolman Ray Siko II is the event coordinator. For more information or for information on making a donation toward the event, call 648-5708.
In observance of National Night Out, St. John's United Church of Christ, 117 N. Eighth St., Shamokin, will hold a brief outdoor prayer vigil for neighborhood safety at 8 p.m. Orange glow sticks will be distributed to approximately 50 children from the Academy Hill neighborhood. Orange light bulbs also will be distributed to neighborhood residents who then will be urged to illuminate the bulbs at 9 p.m. to express support for planned efforts to enhance neighborhood safety. The event is free and open to the public.
Zerbe Township
Zerbe Township's National Night Out will be held at the Foundry field, where there also will be a food drive for the Manna for the Many food pantry in Shamokin.
Mount Carmel borough, township
Mount Carmel and Mount Carmel Township will hold a joint event in the parking lot of Mount Carmel Area Junior/Senior High School. Northumberland County Sheriff Chad Reiner and his K-9 partner, Clark, will appear. Members of the Pennsylvania State Police and Pennsylvania Army National Guard also will be in attendance. Residents are urged to leave pets at home.
Event coordinator Kelly Campbell, Mount Carmel Township patrolman, can be reached at 339-1653 ext. 703. Assistant coordinator Jason Drumheller, Mount Carmel patrolman, can be reached at 339-6020 ext. 67.
Sunbury
Sunbury's National Night Out, sponsored by the Sunbury Police Department and Crime Watch, will run from 5 to 9 p.m. in Cameron Park. There will be free hot dogs and water while supplies last.