MPD hosts National Night Out at Bel Air Mall

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - Mobile Police said Tuesday night’s National Night Out event at Bel Air Mall was about educating the public.

The annual event, which takes place nationwide, is aimed at increasing drug and crime prevention awareness.

“We hear often from citizens 'What can I do? How can I be a part of helping keep my city safer?'” said Mobile Police spokesperson Ashley Rich.

That’s one of the reasons Mobile Police Department hosted the National Night Out.

Those who came out heard music from local artists, won prizes and learned important information. The Mobile Police Department also simultaneously hosted the Crime Prevention 5K Run/Walk through downtown Mobile.

Sherry Tobor works with children at a mental hospital. She said the kids she tends to don’t often get a chance to go out in public so she is bringing some coloring books — and valuable information — back to them.

“I think if I bring all this information back to my children, I can share with them safety tips like hurricane safety and other things they have here,” Sherry Tobor said.

Police even handed out gun locks for free to encourage safety in homes with firearms.

“At one of the tables, they were teaching about gun safety and how important it was to have locks on their guns. They were giving those locks out to the public today for free and that was really good to see,” Tobor said.

Mobile Police recently started Operation IMPACT to combat drugs and violence in Mobile's streets.

They say the program ties in well with Tuesday’s event.

“It’s really a good thing to have National Night Out on the back of Operation IMPACT, as well as seeing a positive impact, possibly, from the curfew insofar as teenage crime,” Rains said.

Vanessa Washington said it's important for parents to maintain a structured environment for their children.

“That curfew is really important and you know it’s really to keep our kids safe. It’s not for us to allow the children to just go as they please,” she said.

Others at the event were also thankful for the opportunity to participate in a community event and glad to have safety tips just before the start of school.