(Long Island, NY) Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory joined the Wyandanch community Aug. 4 at National Night Out in Wyandanch Park. This was the 21st year Wyandanch has participated in the event, in which communities across the country partner with local law enforcement to stand up against crime.
Nonprofits and other local organizations set up informational tables, and music, food and activities for children were provided courtesy of the event’s sponsors.
Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Officer DuWayne Gregory, left, speaks to Commander Norman Sellers of Wyandanch Memorial VFW Post 361 at National Night Out in Wyandanch Park Aug. 4 as Sellers’ daughter Jeanna looks on. The VFW was one of the event’s sponsors. Photo Credit: Suffolk County.
“This event was a strong statement by the Wyandanch community that we will not be defeated by crime,” said Presiding Officer Gregory, who represents the area and who is organizing a summit on stopping violence in response to recent shootings in Wyandanch and North Amityville. “There is much to be celebrated in this community, and this event is a testament to the power of its citizens. Wyandanch rose tonight.”
“National Night Out is a crucial opportunity for concerned citizens to take back their communities, especially those inundated by crime, gangs and drugs,” said Anne Stewart, coordinator for Wyandanch’s National Night Out, an initiative of the Economic Opportunity Council of Suffolk. “This event empowers us as community members to demand better for ourselves, our families and our neighborhoods.”
“I was honored to represent the Suffolk County Police Department as we worked to coordinate National Night Out with local leaders and businesses,” said Suffolk Police Officer Elizabeth Butcher, community liaison officer for the 1st precinct. “The children at the event had a great time interacting with the officers. It is important that the children see how much we as law enforcement care about the community.”
National Night Out was launched by the National Association of Town Watch, which self- identifies as “the nation’s premiere nonprofit crime prevention organization dedicated to the development and promotion of crime prevention in communities across the nation.” For more information on National Night Out, visit the NATW website at natw.org.
