(August 2010) The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and the Town of Pembroke sponsored its 4th Annual National Night Out from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Pembroke Town Park on Tuesday, August 3.
The National Association of Town Watch sponsors the organization of National Night Out which brings together 37 million Americans in 15, 000 communities. The purpose of National Night out is to strengthen communities, instigate involvement in crime and drug prevention programs, strengthen police to community relationships, and to symbolize the community message to criminals that they are fighting back.
According to Brian Duckworth, a lieutenant with the Robeson County Sheriff’s Department, there are over 140 crime prevention and community watch programs available. “Our biggest crime right now is individuals stealing the identity of children through twitter, facebook and sources of that nature,” said Lt. Duckworth. He also informed them of the risks in putting too much information on the internet, and about giving too much information to a stranger or someone you are casually chatting with online. He continued on to urge parents not to allow their children to have a computer in their room because unsupervised activities can lead to their child becoming a victim.
“Statistical data shows that it takes 400 hours to correct identity theft for an adult,” continued Lt. Duckworth. “Now imagine what it could amount to for a child who does not realize their identity has been taken until they are old enough go to buy their first car or apply for loan.”
Although this event was established 27 years ago by the National Association of Town Watch, this is the fourth consecutive year the Lumbee Tribe and the Town of Pembroke has hosted its National Night Out. “This is a way for our Lumbee youth to express that they are concerned about drugs and violence in their community,” stated Tobacco Cessation Coordinator April Bryant.
Along with free food and entertainment, the Lumbee Tribe encouraged not only tribal members but all community members to establish a Community Watch Group in their communities. Anticrime programs are available for community members to get involved in such as the Homicide and Motor Vehicle Death Prevention Program offered by the Lumbee Tribe. The Robeson County Sheriff’s Department also has anticrime programs.
According to Bryant, this event strengthens the community because it shows people coming together for one purpose. “It is important for all community and tribal members to attend,” said Bryant. All Tribal Boys & Girls Clubs participated in this one night event and Tribal employees conducted games for students. Partners for the event included the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina Tribal Tobacco Cessation Program, Town of Pembroke, Lumbee Boys & Girls Clubs, and the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina Homicide and Motor Vehicle Death Prevention Program. For more information on this event please contact, Tobacco Cessation Coordinator April Bryant at 910-522-2189.
