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By JOAO FERREIRA, Standard-Times staff writer



Photo Credit
ANDREW T. GALLAGHER/Standard-Times special
A crowd gathers on the National Night Out yesterday as a state police helicopter out of Plymouth takes off from the Gomes School in New Bedford.

By JOAO FERREIRA,
Standard-Times staff writer

NEW BEDFORD — Bay Village looked like its lively, sorely missed former self yesterday, with neighbors streaming out of their homes to participate in the city's National Night Out at Gomes School.
"Most of these people are from this neighborhood around here," said Derek de Mendonca, who attended with his wife and daughter Rochelle, 5.
"It's a good thing for the community. (It) brings everybody together."
Yesterday afternoon young families, youngsters and older folks from around Bay Village and other parts of the city gathered under the baking sun to learn about public safety, enjoy lemonade and hamburgers, play and just plain sit on the grass, talking.
"Here in New Bedford, we want to be able to walk the streets, enjoy our city," Mayor Scott W. Lang told a large crowd.
"Come out of your houses, take over our streets," said Rep. Antonio F.D. Cabral, D-New Bedford, one of many elected officials who attended the event.
"No one is going to make us fear; no one is going to take the neighborhoods away from us."
For one day, at least, that message rang true.
From two women sitting on lawn chairs who said they were just "two old ladies" who wanted "to see what's happening in the neighborhood" to children playing Frisbee, everybody said Night Out helps bring the neighborhood together.
"The way the city is now, I think people want some release from the madness," said Alyse E. Blake of PACE Child Care Works.
"There has to be things like this to kind of show that people can come out."
The local Night Out is part of a nationwide event developed more than a decade ago by members of neighborhood crime watch groups.
The national goal is to make neighborhoods safe from crime, drugs and gangs.
Yesterday's event included demonstrations with police canine units, a Kids Safety Fire House and the presence of a state police helicopter, which attracted a crowd when it landed at the Gomes School.
Several local agencies set up information booths, and members of the community policing unit and Bristol County Sheriff's Department mingled with the crowd. Political candidates shook hands.
"It's great to see law enforcement in the community, sharing this together," said Police Chief Ronald Teachman, adding that he hopes the heat felt yesterday will pale in comparison to the heat criminals will face through the will of city residents.
An inflated castle for children, a clown and other attractions were included at the event.
"This is one event in New Bedford that everybody is not in a fighting mood, which is good," Ana DeJesus said.
Three young friends enjoying pizza said Night Out is something they would like to see more of.
"It's something for us kids to do," said Loryn Jackmon, 15.
"It keeps everybody out of trouble. It gives people something to do," said Kaylee Silva, 15.
At 6:30 p.m., two caravans rolled through the city's neighborhoods, spreading an anti-crime message, and the event ended with a tug of war between the Police Department and Fire Department.

Contact Joao Ferreira at
jferreira@s-t.com

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