News release
Public Information Office   SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061
publicinfo@selu.edu     www.selu.edu/news

Contact: Christina Chapple
Date: 7/10/03
SOUTHEASTERN TO PARTICIPATE IN NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME
      HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University and its University Police Department will participate in the August 5 National Night Out Against Crime.
      “From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., all members of the community are asked turn on their outside lights and come to special events in Hammond and Ponchatoula,” said UPD Sgt. Patrick Gipson. Gipson is a member of the steering committee planning local Night Out Against Crime activities. The committee is headed by Seventh Ward Clerk of Court Guy Recotta Jr.
      “Representatives from parish and local law enforcement departments will be on hand to provide photograph and fingerprint identification for all children and crime prevention information for everyone,” Gipson said. “Several local businesses have signed on to offer food and entertainment.”
      Gipson said local events will take place in Hammond in the North West Railroad Ave. parking mall across the street from AmSouth Bank, and in Ponchatoula in the parking area in front of City Hall across the street from the Ponchatoula Police Department.
      In conjunction with the National Night Out Against Crime, Gipson said the local steering committee has scheduled two "Stranger Danger” programs for children and parents.  
      “The program teaches children about safety and gives them skills to help protect themselves,” Gipson said. He said children ages four  to 13, along with their parents, are invited to participate. Sessions are scheduled for 10 a.m. on both August 4 at the Hammond branch of the Tangipahoa Parish Library, 314 E. Thomas St., and August 5 at the Ponchatoula branch, 380 N. 5th St.
      For more information about the National Night Out Against Crime, contact Recotta, Jr,  at 985-542-3455 or Gipson at 985-549-2222. Information is also available online at  www.nationalnightout.org.
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