Community Gears Up For 3rd Annual 'Night Out'

The Freedom Area Citizens Council has partnered with the Carroll County Sheriff's Office to host Eldersburg's 3rd annual National Night Out, planning a night of family fun and crime prevention. 

The event takes place August 2 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Carrolltown Mall, featuring the Sykesville Fire Department, door prizes, live music, antique cars, food and more than 50 exhibits. 

"Some areas have block parties, the FACC decided to have a much larger event for Eldersburg," said Ellen Dix, president of the FACC. "Black Oak Associates, the owners of Carrolltown Mall have been very supportive of the event." 

The National Night Out event is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and involves neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide.

This year marks the 28th anniversary of the event, with more than 37 million people participating in a local National Night Out in 2010. 

While it is planned to be a fun family event, at its core National Night Out focuses on heightening crime and drug prevention awareness and strengthen neighborhood and police partnerships in addition to sending a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized to fight back.  

"One of the missions of FACC is to educate and this was an event where we could incorporate the many non-profits and county agencies in the area and let the community know what services were available, in the area," said Dix. "The FACC wanted to make this a family fun night out." 

The City of Westminster is also participating in the event. On August 2 residents in neighborhoods throughout the City of Westminster will lock their homes, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police. Many neighborhoods throughout Westminster will be hosting a variety of special events such as block parties, cookouts, sidewalk parades, youth activities, and visits from police officers. 

Participating Neighborhoods:

• Carroll Lutheran Village--6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Garden of Memories St. Matthew Court
• PNC Bank--6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at 132 W. Main St. (PNC Bank parking lot)
• Eagleview Homeowners Association--6:30- 8:30 p.m. at Firestone Rd. and Tahoma Farm Rd.
• Belle Grove Square--7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at Belle Grove Square, Bond Street and W. Green Street 
• Meadow Creek Homeowners Association--7 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Meadow Creek common area.