Several events set for Tuesday's Night Out Against Crime - Altoona Mirror

National Night Out Against Crime is Tuesday, and two events in Blair County will give the public a chance to spend the evening getting to know area police and first responders and have some fun along the way.

A countywide event, sponsored by Duncansville Police, Blair County Law Enforcement Agencies and the Duncansville Area Business & Professional Association, is set for Tuesday in Duncansville, and this year Altoona police will hold their own event at Heritage Plaza. Both events run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

In Bedford County, the National Night Out Against Crime will be held on South Juliana Street on the Public Squares from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

“Come out and enjoy,” said Duncansville Police Chief Jim Ott, who said Tuesday’s 33rd Night Out Against Crime in the parking lot of Duncansville’s Antiques Depot, can’t happen without the public.

With food, prizes, a car show, fireworks and an array of vendors spreading the word about what services they offer to the community, the annual event has grown

“We always have a great turnout for the different services available for the community,” said Ott, who pointed out groups and organizations that set up cover myriad initiatives and issues, from local fire companies and Blair County’s Smart 911 to issues such as well-being and addiction and children’s fingerprinting.

“There’s a little bit of everything for everyone,” Ott said.

The annual event is meant to heighten awareness of crime and drug prevention as well as give local anti-crime efforts, the police, fire companies and other first responders support and a chance to interact with the public. It’s also a message to criminals that communities and neighborhoods are organized and are fighting back, Ott said.

Ott stressed the event, save a few food items, is free and that prizes will be given away throughout the evening, one that starts with a parade of emergency services vehicles and is capped off with fireworks.

This year’s fireworks show is by Brumbaugh Fireworks Display Inc. and is sponsored by Smith Transport, Sheetz, Ansley RV, Imler’s Poultry and Rutters, Ott said. The car show starts at 5:15 p.m. in front of the Antique Depot and trophies will be awarded for the best of three categories: car, truck and motorcycle.

In Altoona, the police department is holding its inaugural Night Out Against Crime at Heritage Plaza.

“Most importantly, it’s a great way for the community to come out and meet the officers and first responders,” said Altoona police Lt. Ben Jones, adding it’s not often people get to have casual conversations with police officers and get to know them a bit. “We don’t get to see people when they’re having a good day,” he said.

With about a half-dozen local vendors offering food, along with a free concert by “Kicked In” starting at

7 p.m., first responders and police are hoping city residents come out and have some fun, Jones said. Additionally, the Because We Care Foundation will be on hand with its mascot.

“We can’t do it alone,” Jones said. “We rely on the public’s support as much as they rely on us to protect them. It’s a community effort to keep us all safe.”

Mirror Staff Writer Greg Bock is at 946-7458.

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