National Night Out raises awareness about safety

  • Published
  • By Airman Madelyn Ottem
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Balfour Beatty Life Works hosted National Night Out, an event designed to heighten different aspects of safety awareness for residents of Travis, Aug. 31 at the Balfour Beatty Community Center. More than 500 were in attendance.

The participants of the event included the Salvation Army, Travis Police Services, Fairfield Police, Suisun Police, California Highway Patrol, Travis Fire Department, a country band, Travis Office of Special Investigations, Family Advocacy, Airman and Family Readiness Center, David Grant Pharmacy, Humane Animal Service and the Special Needs Task Force.

"The combined efforts of the participants were intended to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support and participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police and community partnerships," said Amy Adams, Balfour Beatty Life Works coordinator. "It also sends a message to criminals letting them know that our neighborhoods are organized and fighting back."

"These types of events are special because they show the unique Travis community and, more importantly, how that community spans beyond the gates of Travis," Adams said.

As the band played music, children played on the bouncy house and in the splash park while other guests circulated to different tables. Each table offered safety tips and opportunities for guests, including filing children's fingerprints with the Fairfield police department, creating dog tags with personalized information and learning the methods of safely disposing unused medications. Raffles of $100 and $500 were given away. Free chili and watermelon also were provided.

The next National Night Out is scheduled for Aug. 2012.