The Picayune Police Department took to the streets on Tuesday night to participate in the National Night Out Against Crime campaign.
The night is an opportunity for officers to interact with the community to discuss public safety and crime prevention tactics, and to reassure citizens of their constant vigilance. During the campaign, officers visited with residents of the Pines Apartments, Bridgeway Apartments and finished the event with a stop at Weems Chapel United Methodist Church.
The residents of the Pines Apartments greeted the officers with refreshments and were happy to sit and talk with members of the police force.
“I think it’s excellent that the police come out and talk with the community,” said Toni Watts, Executive Director of the Picayune Housing Authority. “It eliminates the barrier between the police and the community and helps people feel safe.”
Picayune Chief of Police Bryan Dawsey was just as happy to be there.
“We’ve been coming here for 15 years,” Dawsey said. “We love it. You can see their eyes light up, it’s great.”
Bridgeway Apartment residents prepared popcorn and sweet tea for the visiting officers and happily posed for a group picture with Dawsey and other officers after a brief speech on crime prevention and awareness.
Onlookers gathered outside their homes to watch several squad cars drive by with their lights on and sirens blaring.
The Night Out Against Crime is a nationwide event that has been ongoing since 1984 their website states. Assistant Chief of Police Jeremy Magri explained that while the event is traditionally practiced on the first Tuesday in August, Picayune Police Department decided to postpone the night to a date in October to avoid the heat and provide a more pleasant experience for the community.