Police to Converge at Harper's Choice for National Night Out

The Harper’s Choice Village Center will be teeming with horses, police officers, a costumed crime dog and elected officials Tuesday evening in an effort to prevent crime.

The Harper’s Choice Community Association is hosting the event as part of National Night Out, an initiative that brings together police and civilians across the nation in a show of commitment to community safety.

”Residents play an important role in fighting crime and keeping our communities safe,” Howard County Police Chief Gary Gardner said. ”National Night Out is an annual demonstration of the department’s strong partnership with the community.”

Last year’s National Night Out—the 30th annual affair—resulted in a turnout of 37.8 million citizens across the country, according to organizers.

This year, Harper’s Choice will host the county’s kickoff event, including the volunteer mounted patrol, command post, McGruff the Crime Dog and others to share crime prevention strategies, according to police. There will also be a blood drive inside Kahler Hall from 4 to 8 p.m.; schedule an appointment www.redcrossblood.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS to donate.

The Howard County Police Department’s Maj. Merritt Bender will help kick off the event with County Executive Ken Ulman, Howard County Council Vice Chair Courtney Watson, Councilman Greg Fox, Councilwoman Jen Terrasa, Senator Allan Kittleman, Howard County Fire and Rescue Services Chief William Goddard, Howard County Sheriff James Fitzgerald, Maryland State Police Lt. Shane Bolger and other officials, police said.

More than 20 neighborhood block parties are planned in Howard County. See the list here. Patrol officers, K-9s, a SWAT vehicle, volunteer auxiliary officers and others will make visits, the Howard County Police Department reported.

Whether they go to a planned event or not, the Howard County Police Department encourages citizens to turn on their outside lights and spend at least one hour in front of their homes on their porches, balconies, front steps or lawns Tuesday to send a message to criminals that communities are banding together against crime.

In Harper’s Choice, the National Night Out party lasts from 6 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at the Harper’s Choice Village Center, 5485 Harpers Farm Rd., Columbia.