Sheriff’s deputies visit neighborhoods as part of National Night Out

Published 12:07 am Wednesday, October 8, 2014

By Devonte Demby

Adams County Sheriff’s Dep. Walter Mackel talks to Morgantown Neighborhood Watch member Robert Lofton while Mackel holds his daughter Madison, 21 months, during a meeting at Church of God of Prophecy Tuesday. The meeting between the Sheriff’s Department and the neighborhood watch was a part of National Night Out, a night where law enforcement goes into the community and encourages neighborhood watch programs. (Sam Gause / The Natchez Democrat)

Adams County Sheriff’s Dep. Walter Mackel talks to Morgantown Neighborhood Watch member Robert Lofton while Mackel holds his daughter Madison, 21 months, during a meeting at Church of God of Prophecy Tuesday. The meeting between the Sheriff’s Department and the neighborhood watch was a part of National Night Out, a night where law enforcement goes into the community and encourages neighborhood watch programs. (Sam Gause / The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — Residents greeted Adams County Sheriff’s Office deputies Tuesday night during the Adams County National Night Out Program.

Adams County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Charles Harrigill waves goodbye to Morgantown Neighborhood Watch members during a meeting at Church of God of Prophecy Tuesday. The meeting between the Sheriff’s Department and the neighborhood watch was a part of National Night Out, a night where law enforcement goes into the community and encourages neighborhood watch programs. (Sam Gause / The Natchez Democrat)

Adams County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Charles Harrigill waves goodbye to Morgantown Neighborhood Watch members during a meeting at Church of God of Prophecy Tuesday. The meeting between the Sheriff’s Department and the neighborhood watch was a part of National Night Out, a night where law enforcement goes into the community and encourages neighborhood watch programs. (Sam Gause / The Natchez Democrat)

National Night Out is a community event, which gives residents the chance to interact with local law enforcement officers within their own neighborhoods.

Deputies traveled to Broadmoor, Selma, Morgantown, Kingston and Sibley communities to meet with residents.

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ACSO Neighborhood Watch liaison Courtney Taylor said the National Night Out Program increases awareness about Neighborhood Watch programs.

“Neighborhood Watch is the most effective crime deterrent in the nation,” Taylor said. “It has significantly lowered crime rates locally — in some neighborhoods as much as 80 percent.”

Neighborhood Watch members are vigilant and often help solve crimes by being observant, Taylor said.

ACSO Reserve Deputy Monroe Sago said the community event helped residents get to know their law enforcement officers.

“Meeting the law enforcement in your neighborhood and knowing who they are gives residents comfort,” Sago said. “Some people only know the name of their law enforcement, but they do not know their face. This event helps with that.”

Sago said the sound of sirens helps older residents feel safe.

Morgantown Neighborhood Watch member Sonny Daniels talks to fellow members during a meeting at Church of God of Prophecy Tuesday. Adams County Sheriff’s Office employees would later join the meeting as a part of National Night Out, a night where law enforcement goes into the community and encourages neighborhood watch programs. (Sam Gause / The Natchez Democrat)

Morgantown Neighborhood Watch member Sonny Daniels talks to fellow members during a meeting at Church of God of Prophecy Tuesday. Adams County Sheriff’s Office employees would later join the meeting as a part of National Night Out, a night where law enforcement goes into the community and encourages neighborhood watch programs. (Sam Gause / The Natchez Democrat)

“You have a lot of people afraid of law enforcement,” Sago said. “But the law is not our enemy, they’re our friend.”

As a gang investigator with Management and Training Corporation, which operates the prison in Woodville, Broadmoor resident Victor Smith Jr. said this night was special for him.

“It’s always good to come out and see what is going on in the community,” Smith said. “A lot of gangs that we have in the prison systems come from the streets of Natchez.”

Broadmoor resident Alberta Selmon was thankful for local law enforcement during National Night Out.

“This is the only way some people get to meet their officers and have one-on-one time with them,” Selmon said.

Selmon has never missed a National Night Out.

“I like that the Adams County Sheriff’s Office thinks enough of us to do this,” Selmon said.

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