NATIONAL NIGHT OUT TARGETS CRIME

The Socorro community is invited to join a display of solidarity against
crimes and drugs during National Night Out on Aug. 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. at
Clarke Field.

This is a nationwide event and is sponsored locally by the Socorro Police
Department.

"It's an excellent time for people to come out and meet the police and
learn about Neighborhood Watch," said Detective Lawrence Romero.

Romero said speakers would be available during the event to talk about
Neighborhood Watch, a program that bands neighbors together in an effort to
prevent crime. Handouts will also be available about Neighborhood Watch and
other anti-crime programs. There will also be a march around the field to
promote a safer nation.

"We want to send the message to criminals that we're united and that we're
working together with the people we serve so that together we can fight
crime," he said. "The days of crimes against law enforcement are done."

Romero said the event had been held in Belen in the past and had been
attended by several hundred people.

National Night Out is the conception of the National Association of Town
Watch, a nonprofit organization that works with crime watch groups and law
enforcement agencies on crime prevention.

The purpose of National Night Out is to raise awareness of crime and drug
prevention and to also generate support from the community in anticrime
programs. Its goal is to also strengthen police-community partnerships and
to send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and
fighting back against crime.

Over 34 million people worldwide participated in National Night Out in 2003.