ANTI-CRIME FESTIVITIES ROLL TONIGHT

Several law enforcement agencies and residents in Lee County will take
part in tonight's National Night Out Against Crime.

The goal of the campaign is to heighten crime and drug prevention
awareness, generate support for anti-crime programs, strengthen
police-community partnerships and send a message to criminals that
neighborhoods are fighting back.

More than 34 million people took part in last year's campaign that
brought together more than 10,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S.
territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide.

The Fort Myers Police Department will join residents from 6:30 to 8:30
tonight for cookies at Winkler Safe Park at Broadway and Collier Avenue.

Residents involved in neighborhood watch programs will celebrate their
partnerships and efforts with police in fighting crime in their
neighborhoods. Children can get fingerprinted.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office has several sites planned for the
event:

o Bonita Springs, Leitner Creek Park: The event begins at 5:30 p.m.
with an assembly followed by a parade. Sheriff's Maj. Scott Ciresi and
officers from the Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit are scheduled to attend as
well as the Special Operation Unit.

o Suncoast Estates, North Fort Myers: The march will start at 6 p.m. at
the Community Center, 7656 Hart Road. Fingerprinting will be offered,
and the K-9 Unit will be present.

o Palmona Park, North Fort Myers: The event will start at the Church of
Brethren, 1691 Pacific Ave., at 6 p.m. with the K- 9 Unit,
fingerprinting service and North District deputies.

o Charleston Park, eastern Lee County: The event starts at 6 p.m. with
a parade through the neighborhood. Homeowners are asked to turn on
porch lights in support of the march.

A community gathering with refreshments will take place at the
pavilion in the county park.

The sheriff's Community Policing Unit, Traffic Unit and East District
personnel will be present, along with the Alva Fire Department and Lee
County Human Affairs.

In Cape Coral, Sarah Penna, Cape Neighborhood Watch president, said
the event highlights the partnership between police and residents.

"It's neighbors helping neighbors," Penna said. "It sends a message
that we are united, we are growing in numbers, and we will not stand
down to crime."

She said they are dedicating this year's event to those in the
military.

Fliers have been distributed around neighborhoods where specific
events are planned, including two in the southwest, two in the
southeast and one in the northeast. Music and refreshments will be
offered. Penna did not want to release the exact addresses because of
the sensitive nature of what the organization does.

For those who want to participate but aren't in a neighborhood watch
group, Penna urged them to show solidarity by turning their house
lights on between 8 and 10 p.m. and going out to meet their neighbors.