Columbus police officer James Poole credits events such as tonight’s National Night Out Against Crime with connecting Columbus police and residents — especially when a string of a dozen or so robberies swept one area two summers ago, reports the Columbus Dispatch. “We had undercover officers follow suspects,” said Poole, a community liaison. “Folks observed these guys going through neighborhoods, and they'd call us. When the undercover officers made an arrest, (the residents) would identify these guys.”
The 31st annual National Night Out, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, brings neighbors out to meet one another as well as the Police Division's community liaisons. “We get a lot of tips from block watches (about) criminal activity,” said police spokesman Rich Weiner. Events that build community spread awareness and “give people the opportunity to meet their neighbors and get involved.”