THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 3, 1994 TAG: 9408030473
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KAREN E. QUINONES MILLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
For awhile, organizers were afraid the weather would put a damper on the night, but people in dozens of Hampton Roads communities braved the occasional raindrops to take a stand against crime by celebrating National Night Out '94.
``I'm not going to let a little water stop me from coming out here and show my support,'' said Sam Tolbert, 48, a resident of the Oakdale Apartments on West Little Creek Road.
``I'm out here because I care.''
More than 23 million people throughout the U.S. were expected to participate in the National Night Out - an annual campaign started in 1984 to unite people against crime in their neighborhoods.
In Hampton Roads, residents were patrolling their neighborhoods, but they were also eating barbecue and listening to music.
``We usually try to get people to come outside and put on their porch lights to show that they're united in trying to keep crime out of their neighborhoods,'' said police officer Ed Rockefeller, who was at a celebration at the intersection of Hammett and Randall avenues.
``This year, though, the idea is to bring the neighbors together in a celebration so they can find out who lives in their neighborhood. That way when someone who doesn't live in the neighborhood comes in, people will know it and be on their guard.''
The festivities also gave police and people in the community the opportunity to get to know each other a little better.
``Are your dogs prejudiced?'' asked a thin African-American man after watching a police K-9 demonstration at the Oakdale Apartments.
``No,'' the handler said with a smile. ``Our dogs are color-blind.''
Etta Day, 62, a four-year resident of Oakdale Apartments, got in line as a group led by resident manager Charles Brooks prepared to patrol the complex.
``I want to show everyone the different things they have to look out for around here, and the different signs of trouble,'' Brooks said as he prepared to lead his band of 30.
``Oh dear, I forgot to bring my flashlight,'' Day, a retired day-care operator said, her hands flying to her face. ``Well, I'll walk with them anyway.''
She hung back just a moment.
``You know, I think it's good we're doing this,'' she said. ``I don't feel like moving no more.''
Then she ran to join her neighbors. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
MOTOYA NAKAMURA/Staff
Police officers Walter Tindell, front, and James White stage a K-9
demonstration for residents at Oakdale Apartments on Little Creek
Road in Norfolk on Tuesday as part of Night Out '94.
by CNB