Crowds flock to National Night Out events across city
Published 10:24 pm Tuesday, August 2, 2022
Danita Hayes and Jennifer Berube chat for a bit. (Jen Jaqua photo)
Farrie Beamon gets a snow cone from Ashley Jackson. (Jen Jaqua photo)
Kymani Eley, 6, and Aiden Eley, 5, play a game of Connect Four. (Jen Jaqua photo)
Alicia Mullen, 16, and Aaliyah Mullen, 8, enjoy a cool treat. (Jen Jaqua photo)
Logan Smith, Barack Smith, Jami-lla Brown-Smith, Luke Smith, J'Ayce Brown, A'Johni Smith, John Smith enjoy an evening at NNO as a family. (Jen Jaqua photo)
Zanyah Jackson, Felicia Outlaw, Netta B., Tanyah Jackson and Zah Jackson enjoy a bite to eat. (Jen Jaqua photo)
Tiara and Tamera Riddick enjoy NNO with their pup Sugar. (Jen Jaqua photo)
Jessie Joyner and Donald Ellison grill some hotdogs.(Jen Jaqua photo)
Azziza Brown, 9, Cakylia Simpson, Shirley Simpson and Quinto Savage enjoy a shady table. (Jen Jaqua photo)
Vernita Jones and Patricia Smallwood show off their awesome hats as they enjoy a warm evening. (Jen Jaqua photo)
Dennis Harden, 10 jumps for a catch during NNO. (Jen Jaqua photo)
Kim Pool hands out information and bags of school supplies at the Children's Center tent. (Jen Jaqua photo)
Gayon Williams puts a slap braclet on Michael Crump, 9, while Messiah Crump, 6, waits for his. (Jen Jaqua photo)
Michael Crump, 9 tries to catch the toppling blocks as Messiah Crump, 6, watches. (Jen Jaqua photo)
Crowds flocked to the free National Night Out events across Suffolk Tuesday evening as numerous city departments, including the Suffolk Police Department, Sheriff's Department, Suffolk Fire & Rescue, Suffolk Public Schools and numerous others groups and organizations took part.
Garrick Rhoades, Mack Benn Jr. Elementary School principal, plays a game of catch. (Jen Jaqua photo)
Enijah Johnson, Camiya Blount, Camesha Vereen, Ciniya Blount, Cyana Blount and Gayon Williams pause for a photo. (Jen Jaqua photo)
Paris Brown, 2, plays a game of corn hole her own way. (Jen Jaqua photo)
Michael Crump, 9 tries to catch the toppling blocks as Messiah Crump, 6, watches. (Jen Jaqua photo)
First Grade teachers, Raven Southall, Jamie Guthrie, and James Allen, Dean, at Mack Benn Jr. Elementary School pause for a photo by the bounce house at NNO. (Jen Jaqua photo)
Deadra Odom and McGruff pause for a photo. (Lindsay Richardson photo)
Mayor Duman, his dog, Holly, and Council Member Don Goldberg enjoy NNO festivities. (Lindsay Richardson photo)
Crowds flocked to the free National Night Out events across Suffolk Tuesday evening as numerous city departments, including the Suffolk Police Department, Sheriff's Department, Suffolk Fire & Rescue, Suffolk Public Schools and numerous others groups and organizations took part.
Haidyn Maccan and Colden Andrews share a hug at NNO. (Lindsay Richardson photo)
Crowds flocked to the free National Night Out events across Suffolk Tuesday evening as numerous city departments, including the Suffolk Police Department, Sheriff's Department, Suffolk Fire & Rescue, Suffolk Public Schools and numerous others groups and organizations took part.(Jimmy LaRoue photo)
Crowds flocked to the free National Night Out events across Suffolk Tuesday evening as numerous city departments, including the Suffolk Police Department, Sheriff's Department, Suffolk Fire & Rescue, Suffolk Public Schools and numerous others groups and organizations took part. (Jimmy LaRoue photo)
Crowds flocked to the free National Night Out events across Suffolk Tuesday evening as numerous city departments, including the Suffolk Police Department, Sheriff's Department, Suffolk Fire & Rescue, Suffolk Public Schools and numerous others groups and organizations took part.Jimmy LaRoue photo)
Crowds flocked to the free National Night Out events across Suffolk Tuesday evening as numerous city departments, including the Suffolk Police Department, Sheriff's Department, Suffolk Fire & Rescue, Suffolk Public Schools and numerous others groups and organizations took part. (Jimmy LaRoue photo)
Crowds flocked to the free National Night Out events across Suffolk Tuesday evening as numerous city departments, including the Suffolk Police Department, Sheriff's Department, Suffolk Fire & Rescue, Suffolk Public Schools and numerous others groups and organizations took part.(Jimmy LaRoue photo)
Crowds flocked to the free National Night Out events across Suffolk Tuesday evening as numerous city departments, including the Suffolk Police Department, Sheriff's Department, Suffolk Fire & Rescue, Suffolk Public Schools and numerous others groups and organizations took part.(Jimmy LaRoue photo)
Crowds flocked to the free National Night Out events across Suffolk Tuesday evening as numerous city departments, including the Suffolk Police Department, Sheriff's Department, Suffolk Fire & Rescue, Suffolk Public Schools and numerous others groups and organizations took part.(Jimmy LaRoue photo)
Crowds flocked to the free National Night Out events across Suffolk Tuesday evening as numerous city departments, including the Suffolk Police Department, Sheriff's Department, Suffolk Fire & Rescue, Suffolk Public Schools and numerous others groups and organizations took part.(Jimmy LaRoue photo)
Crowds flocked to the free National Night Out events across Suffolk Tuesday evening as numerous city departments, including the Suffolk Police Department, Sheriff's Department, Suffolk Fire & Rescue, Suffolk Public Schools and numerous others groups and organizations took part.(Jimmy LaRoue photo)
(Crowds flocked to the free National Night Out events across Suffolk Tuesday evening as numerous city departments, including the Suffolk Police Department, Sheriff's Department, Suffolk Fire & Rescue, Suffolk Public Schools and numerous others groups and organizations took part. (Jimmy LaRoue photo)
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A running joke among city officials is that Suffolk Sheriff E.C. Harris is in charge of the weather for the city’s yearly National Night Out events.
This year, at least, he delivered.
It was hot, but the rain stayed away for Tuesday’s festivities as thousands flocked to not only enjoy the activities, but also, officials hope, to build relationships with law enforcement, first responders and others on the front lines of taking a bite out of crime.
Suffolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Narendra Pleas said it was about “bridging gaps,” while Harris noted the event served the purpose of bringing people together.
Those things were happening across the city, as Suffolk Police and first responders and residents were actively engaging with one another in a more relaxed setting than they might have otherwise.
Motorcades of city officials, as well as Rep. Elaine Luria, fanned out to different National Night Out events.
They likely saw events teeming with people, with parking lots at King’s Fork High School, Creekside Elementary’s growing celebration and elsewhere across the city overflowing as people flocked to them.
More than 100 communities, homeowner’s associations, civic organizations, neighborhoods, churches and business sponsors took part with block parties, cook-outs, and created a festival-like atmosphere.
The National Night Out events officially kicked off at City Hall as Mayor Mike Duman, City Manager Al Moor, Police Chief Al Chandler, Fire Chief Mike Barakey, Western Tidewater Regional Jail Capt. Tanya Blair, interim director of media and communications Jennifer Moore, Pleas, Harris and Luria gave remarks. Silk Police Capt. Eric Crawley gave the invocation.
For more than 15 years, the city has celebrated National Night Out, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch Ave co- sponsored locally by Suffolk Police.
The city’s event has placed first in the nation five times in its population category, the last time in 2018.
