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Sandy schedules Neighborhood Night Out to boost block-watch participation
Summary
Mayor Zoltanski and Sandy Police officials invited residents to a centralized Neighborhood Night Out Against Crime on Monday, Aug. 4, 5–8 p.m. at Amphitheater Park to recruit and support neighborhood watch groups. The event will include officer meet-and-greets, patrol vehicle displays, yard games and a canine demonstration at 6:30 p.m.
Mayor Zoltanski, speaking from the Sandy Police Department, invited residents to attend Neighborhood Night Out Against Crime on Monday, Aug. 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Amphitheater Park, 9400 South and 1300 East, to learn how to start or support neighborhood watch groups.
The event is intended to expand the city’s neighborhood watch program and connect residents with officers and resources. "Neighborhood watch has been in Sandy since the seventies, and it's still an ongoing program that we love. We have about 70 neighborhood watch groups in the city currently, but we're always looking to expand that number and bring more people into the neighborhood watch program," said Amy Bryant, the crime prevention coordinator for the Sandy Police Department.
The program leaders said the event is meant to supplement — not replace — traditional, small neighborhood gatherings. Bryant said neighborhoods may continue to host smaller front-lawn or block events where officers can drop in with short crime-prevention messages. "If you're interested in starting a neighborhood watch program in your area, we invite you to come out to our night out against crime event," Bryant said. She added that residents who cannot attend may call the police department and ask for the neighborhood watch coordinator to get assistance setting up a group.
Officer Andy Mejina described the practical benefit of neighbors knowing one another: "You know what's going on in your neighborhood. You know what normal looks like. You know what daily routines of your neighbors may look like. So if you see something that's not normal, that's a really good red flag." Sandy officials said the police cannot be everywhere and rely on resident reports of unusual activity.
Organizers said the centralized event at Amphitheater Park will include patrol and police vehicles on display, photo props, yard games for children and a canine demonstration at 6:30 p.m. The program is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. and is intended for families and residents citywide. Mayor Zoltanski encouraged residents to attend to meet officers and learn how to strengthen information-sharing and safety in their neighborhoods.
For residents who want to start a neighborhood watch or who cannot attend the Aug. 4 event, the Sandy Police Department advised calling the department and asking for the neighborhood watch coordinator to arrange support and materials.
