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Crime & Safety

Fighting Crime at 'National Night Out'

Event at East Cobb Target store focuses on staying safe and having fun.

Cobb County law enforcement brought a strong crime prevention message to the Target shopping center in East Cobb as part of the National Night Out campaign. 

The goal was to connect with the community about crime awareness encourage preventative steps. 

While safety tips and learning tools were provided to the community, the event also had public safety vehicles, like fire trucks and patrol cars, on display, and provided some back to school entertainment for the kids, including a bounce house, a martial arts demonstration, free food, and games. 

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The Cobb County Police Department provided coloring books, and Cobb County Fire and Emergency Services gave kids the opportunity to explore fire vehicles and learn about fire safety. The Cobb Sheriff’s Department provided a fingerprint I.D. for parents to have a record of their child’s fingerprint on file.

Target and Menchies offered free food and refreshments. 

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Ultimate Karate and Fitness provided a self defense demonstration. Spokesman Will Norman said self defense supports safety as well as how to protect yourself and your loved ones.  

He says the program instills values and knowledge to help you through tough situations. “The knowledge that comes with it allows you to treat any situation that may become violent in a manner where you will protect yourself even if it’s not getting involved at all,” said Norman. 

Dawn Arnold, Access Protection Leader of Target, said the NNO event is important because it allows law enforcement to communicate information to the community. “It will help bring the community together so that we will have stronger partnerships,” said Arnold.

“It will definitely help reduce crime and promote awareness because it allows Target and the neighboring stores to communicate with law enforcement," she said.

National Night Out is a crime and drug prevention event that is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). The campaign engages citizens, law enforcement agencies, businesses, and other neighborhood organizations to join together in connecting with the community. Across the country police departments and law enforcement agencies welcomed members of the community to come out and interact with law enforcement.

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