City Celebrates National Night Out

By Tammy DanielsPrint Story | Email Story
Mayor John Barrett III
View Slide Show
NORTH ADAMS -- The fun and games at the Masonic Temple on Tuesday night were meant to deliver a more serious message as the city celebrated National Night Out. “It’s all about having a good time and bringing the community together,” Public Safety Commissioner E. John Morocco told the dozens of children and families gathered on the former Houghton Mansion lawn. But more importantly, he said, it was about keeping the “bad guys” out by having local law enforcement and residents working together. “We work hard at doing our job but we need you to help,” Berkshire District Attorney David F. Capeless said over the roar of the children’s chatter. “It’s up to you to help us keep North Adams safe.” Even if they weren’t paying too much attention to the speakers, the youngsters were getting the message in other ways. The K-9 units from both the city and Williamstown were on hand to introduce the kids to the forces’ four-footed officers; community organizations had tables set up for games, coloring, face painting and other activities along with safety information, and police offered children’s identification kits. The Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, which organized the event, passed out 50 bike helmets. Members of the Masons grilled up hot dogs and hamburgers. “I liked the magician best,” said Brianna Crosby of North Adams, who will turn 10 this month, as magician Johnny Mystic dazzled the crowd. Eight-year-old Nathan Ellis of North Adams agreed with her, but Logan Rumbolt, 9, North Adams, who said he’d tried everything, voted for the giant bubbles being made on the other side of the lawn. Also known as America’s Night Out Against Crime, the event was established 23 years ago by the non-profit National Association of Town Watch to promote crime prevention and to strengthen communities’ bonds with local law enforcement. Last year, more than 35 million people in 11,000 communities in all 50 states took part in the annual event. It’s been held in North Adams for nearly 10 years in various forms, said Kathy Keeser of the coalition. “The first couple were held as local neighborhood safety expos. This is about the sixth year it’s been held at the Masons as a communitywide event.” The focus of the local event was safety and the community building good relations with the police, she said, adding that the coalition has received strong support over the years from Morocco, Mayor John Barrett III and the Police Department. “It’s a chance to target safety and crime prevention.” Child Care of the Berkshires, for example, was offering tips on playground safety and handing out children’s books to promote reading along with information about its programs. The Berkshire County Juvenile Court had a “Jeopardy”-style game on safety for kids to play. Capeless, who had stopped in at Pittsfield’s event earlier in the evening, said prevention is important since a lot of crime in this area arises from social and mental health issues that can be dealt with at the community level. “We have to make sure [crime] doesn’t happen,” he said, adding with a laugh, “Put us out of business … Well, give us less work to do.” In addition to Juvenile Court, and city and Williamstown police, there were representatives from the Adams Police Department, North Adams Fire Department, North Adams Police Auxiliary and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts police officers, and numerous local agencies. The event also was supported by donations from area businesses. “It’s important we find programs for our kids to keep them involved with the police and the city,” said Barrett.
Share
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

SteepleCats Shut Out on Road

iBerkshires.com Sports
MONTPELIER, Vt. -- Four Vermont pitchers combined to strike out 11 and allow four hits Tuesday as the Mountaineers beat the North Adams SteepleCats, 11-0, in New England Collegiate Baseball League action.
 
Evan Meier, Bobby Stang, Tonny Woodie and Chris Diaz each had a hit for the SteepleCats, who used five pitchers in the loss.
 
North Adams (0-2) comes home Tuesday to host the Mystic Schooners at 6:30 p.m. at Joe Wolfe Field.
View Full Story

More North Adams Stories

Business
image description

Cole Mountain Cafe Brings Farm to Table

Business
Sports
image description

Lenox Edges Hoosac Valley to Reach State Semi-Final

Sports
Sports
image description

Durant Leads Drury Back to Final Four

Sports
Community News
image description

Vermont National Guard Members Depart From North Adams

Community News
Schools
image description

Drury High's School Class of 2026 Ready to Build the Future

Schools
Sports
image description

Wahconah's Iovieno Earns Statewide Honor

Sports
Latest Stories
Previous Next

What's Trending?