FACC National Night Out
June 12, 2009
Eric Villard

The Freedom Area Citizens' Council (FACC) will be co-hosting National Night Out in Eldersburg with the Carroll County Sheriff's Department August 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the back parking lot of Carrolltown Mall.

National Night Out (NNO) is a nationwide program sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) in order to raise crime awareness and increase crime prevention. While this will be the 26th annual celebration of the event, it is only Eldersburg's first time taking part in it. Nearby Sykesville has been partaking in the event for years, according to FACC president Ellen Dix.

While the event is new to Eldersburg, the need for better crime education is not.

"Crime in Eldersburg has increased over the years since I first moved here," Dix said. "One of the problems is that residents are too trusting and leave doors, garages and sheds unlocked."

According to a NATW press release, NNO is typically celebrated with block parties, cookouts, parades and festivals. FACC's plans for the event seem to have a festival-like nature.

Dix said the event would have a multitude of opportunities for visitors to be educated on safety - from police and fire booths and demonstrations to lessons in emergency preparedness from the Freedom District Lions Club and self-defense exhibits from Sykesville Tae Kwon Do Academy. In addition to this, Dix said, there will be various food vendors and a moon bounce.

"We are looking to attract all residents of Eldersburg for an event that is just for them," Dix explained.

The goal of the event is to get as many residents out as possible. Dix mentioned that in keeping with this goal Carroll Area Transit System (CATS) would be providing free transportation to the event. She added that nearby Faith Lutheran Church would be offering use of their parking lot for NNO attendees.

Another goal is to not have this turn into a one-time event. Ellen Dix said she hopes it garners enough interest and attention to return next year.

"We hope the public will be supportive and it becomes an annual event in Eldersburg," she explained. "Eldersburg has over 27,000 residents and it about time we had events for a community this size."

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