Some people complain but do nothing to help.
Others take charge and get things done.
The Fremont Police Department hopes the majority of people want to take charge of their city and come to Safe Neighborhoods Night on Wednesday to learn how.
From 6-9 p.m. at Fremont City Auditorium, members of the Fremont Police Department will staff informational booths for CrimeStoppers, McGruff House, Neighborhood Watch and gang-related topics. At
7 p.m., Ray Fidone of the U.S. Attorney’s Office will present a program on “Project Safe Neighborhoods” and at 8 p.m. Fremont Detective Matt Hultquist and Officer Jim Butts will present a program on how to tell if your child is involved in gangs.
“Over the past several months, we’ve had a lot of interest over the Neighborhood Watch program,” said Lt. Jeff Elliott. “With the interest we had and knowing Ray Fidone was doing this class, we thought this would be perfect timing.”
He said the department initially wanted to host the informational program on National Night Out, Aug. 5, but Fidone wasn’t available.
“We also want to have the community become more involved in our efforts to make the city safe,” Elliott said. “The police can’t be everywhere. We need the public’s help.”
Arrests of people stealing from cars wouldn’t have happened without help from the public, he said.
“We encourage people of all ages and neighborhoods to come,” Elliott said. “The more involvement, the more success we hope to see.”
With recent graffiti and gang-like crimes in the area, he said there has been a lot of interest in the topic of gangs in Fremont.
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“We definitely have gang members in Fremont,” Elliott said. “We want people to be aware of what to look for in their children (with gang involvement) so they can intervene before there’s a problem.”
There will be eight to 10 police officers in attendance as well as dispatchers and other staff members to speak with the public. Door prizes including weather radios will be provided as well as refreshments provided by CrimeStoppers, Hy-Vee Food Store and Wal-Mart Supercenter.
Children are encouraged to attend with their families and there also will be opportunities for kids to meet Lak and the K-9 officer and get sticker badges from officers.
“Come out, meet the officers and learn how to make your communities safer,” Elliott said. “Help us make the community a safer place.”
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