Goshen, N.Y. – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus, Sheriff Carl E. DuBois and County Clerk Annie Rabbitt participated in National Night Out festivities in Newburgh, Montgomery and the Town of Wallkill on Tuesday, August 7th.

Legislator James O’Donnell and representatives from District Attorney David Hoovler’s office joined the group at the three venues. Legislator Rob Sassi attended the Town of Wallkill event. O’Donnell worked for the State Police from 1974 to 1997, retiring with the rank of Lt. Col. He went on to serve as the Chief of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department and was on duty during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“National Night Out is a great opportunity to meet the public and promote crime prevention and stress the need to support local law enforcement,” Neuhaus said. “Public safety starts with the relationship between the police and the public. As County Executive, I am committed to fostering good communication between our police and our communities.”

Added Hoovler: “National Night Out brings the community together and gives residents a chance to get to know police officers and law enforcement officials in a more relaxed setting. Now more than ever, we need to extend our support to law enforcement, and I was glad that each venue attracted a good turnout.”

National Night Out, which began in 1984, is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships to bring communities together and make them safer. It is designed to raise drug and crime prevention awareness, generate support for anti-crime efforts, strengthen community spirit and send a strong message to criminals that crime won’t be tolerated. Millions of residents participate in National Night Out events in the U.S. on the first Tuesday in August. Communities host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events that include safety demonstrations, seminars, youth activities, visits from emergency personnel and exhibit.

“National Night Out is an opportunity to reinforce to the public that their eyes and ears are part of the solution when it comes to reducing crime,” DuBois said. “It also gives the public a chance to meet members of law enforcement, ask questions, become more aware and better educated, and familiarize themselves with their local agencies.”

Added Rabbitt: “Coming from a family with many members who have dedicated their lives to law enforcement, I recognize the importance of National Night Out. It provided a wonderful opportunity for police agencies to engage and interact with the community, and vice versa.”

For more information, contact Justin Rodriguez, Assistant to the County Executive for Communications and Media Relations at 845.291.3255 or jrodriguez@orangecountygov.com.

###