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Crime & Safety

National Night Out Brings Marietta Residents Together for Fun and Camaraderie

The annual community block party draws a big crowd.

officers and hundreds of local residents came together Tuesday night to participate in the 28th Annual National Night Out event held at the Autumn View Apartments at 1035 Franklin Rd. in Marietta.

National Night Out is an annual countrywide event designed to create awareness and support of community-based crime and drug prevention programs, as well as strengthen neighborhood bonds and promote positive police-community relationships.

“Each year several apartment complexes on Franklin Road hold smaller night out parties on their own properties, then residents from these smaller parties all come together at the main hosting complex for the big event," said Sgt. Patrick Bonito, the officer in charge of the Marietta National Night Out the past seven years. "We do this each year to build stronger relationships with the residents, especially with the kids. We want them to grow up not being afraid to come to us with any problems they may have.”

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Adults and children alike had a big night dancing to live DJ music, taking turns in the bounce house, and participating in games like musical chairs and sack races, while the Marietta police handed out balloons and raffle tickets.

Target, a major sponsor of the Marietta Night Out event, donated boys and girls bikes for raffle, as well as having a host of volunteer team members passing out free pins and gift certificates to residents.

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The Youth Building Company was also in attendance. It is a charitable organization that coordinates clothing drives and interactive events and workshops designed to educate and empower children.

“Tonight we’re here to support the national night out, as well as collect new and used jeans, which we wash and then distribute to community residents in need.” said Jasmine Martin from YBC.

The Franklin Road Weed and Seed crime prevention site coordinator, Deneea Badio, and other volunteers from the organization also joined in Tuesday night's festivities.

“The Weed and Seed program provides assistance to the homeless and families in crisis in Cobb County," Badio said. "We also work to gain support from local charities to help people living in this area.” said Badio.

National Night Out was started in 1984 by the National Town Watch organization. It is held the first Tuesday in August and has more than 10,000 communities that participate.

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