BLOCK WATCH EVENT IS DRUGS' GOING AWAY PARTY

The Fremont Block Party, sponsored by Fremont Block Watch and the
Fremont Police Department, will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday on
Sandusky Avenue between Howland and Middle streets.

The annual event is held in conjunction with the National Night Out
program that encourages people across the country to turn on their
porch lights as part of an effort to deter crime in
neighborhoods.

"We do this to give drugs a going away party," said Zesta Johnson,
co-organizer of the Block Party and coordinator of Block Watch.

The event will feature free food, door prizes, children's games with
prizes and some comments by public officials about fighting crime.

"We're hoping for any and all ages" to attend, Johnson
said.

Last year, the event was held at Walsh Park after being held in east
side neighborhoods for the three previous years.

"Participation was down, so we've moved it back to the neighborhoods,"
Johnson said. In years prior to 2003, about 250 people reportedly attended.

Patrolman Robert Schultz of the Fremont Police Department works with
Johnson on the Block Party and Block Watch.

The Block Party is designed to spread the word about fighting crime
and drug abuse within the neighborhoods of the community.

Block Watch itself is about neighbors helping neighbors. Participants
watch out for each others' homes and report suspicious activities to
police and each other to reduce the likelihood of residential crime.

Each member is given a four-digit number to use when calling police
about criminal activity. The number is relayed to the dispatcher on
duty and that allows callers to remain anonymous.

"It's helped out quite a bit over the years," Johnson said. "It's
helped with some drug busts."

The organization has about 25 core members who attend meetings and
work on fund raisers and "thousands" of members with active Block
Watch numbers.

"I would like to have more core members," said Johnson, who has been
the driving force behind the group for several years. People
interested in joining can call the Fremont Police Department.

Tuesday's event is partially the result of fund-raising efforts during
the past year.

"The community has been very generous, so we'll have a lot of door
prizes," Johnson said. "Everything has been donated."

The program is designed to develop a relationship between officials
and the community. Representatives of the police department will
participate.

"We try to focus on the kids," Johnson said, pointing out the effort
to reach them early.