DATE: Sunday, August 3, 1997                TAG: 9708010359

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 04   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY LEWIS KRAUSKOPF, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   27 lines

CITY MARKS NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME ON TUESDAY

Neighborhoods all over Chesapeake are breaking out the hot dogs, icecream and party streamers Tuesday night to break the spirits of criminals.

About 21 neighborhoods including 3,000 residents throughout the city have registered their celebrations for National Night Out Against Crime, said Officer Debbie Holmes.

Block parties, cookouts and parades are among the night-time activities neighborhoods have organized.

McGruff the Crime Dog will be visiting the participating neighborhoods and handing out foil badges.

The city's Crime Prevention Council, which sponsors the event, has spent $1,500 on bumper stickers, balloons, neon pencils and necklaces, and banners, to encourage neighborhood gatherings, Holmes said.

Neighborhoods that haven't registered can still uphold the spirit of the evening, Holmes said.

``Turn on the porch lights, meet each other and get a dialogue going,'' Holmes said. ``That's what keeps the neighborhood safe.''

For more information on the National Night Out Against Crime, call the Crime Prevention Council at 543-0142.

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