JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
We're just days away from the cool of autumn, and the Hinds County Sheriff's Department took advantage of cooler weather to hold its National Night Out kick-off.
The festivities resembled a deep south family reunion with music, dancing, free food and comradery.
The late summer event brought residents together to send a message to law breakers.
"It's raising awareness of crime in the neighborhood. When you bring people together, it's lower the crime rate and sending the message to criminals that we're together. We're fighting back," said Perry Robinson with the Georgetown Community Association.
There are about 125 households in the Jackson organization.
The event, held at the downtown sheriff's department patio, also offered safety and crime prevention information that residents could share with neighbors.
John Sledge is president of the newly formed Creston Hills Neighborhood Watch Association with 270 households.
"All you have to be is eyes, ears and a telephone. Due to the sheriff's department and their assistance helping us get our neighborhood watch going cutting the crime in our neighborhood down 70% along with JPD," said Sledge.
"I'm originally from Canton, Mississippi. So I'm also supporting what's going on with the country, stopping the violence across the country," said Pastor Tony Davis of Los Angeles.
Sheriff's department officials said bringing neighborhoods, businesses and other law enforcement agencies together makes a difference.
"No one entity can do anything by himself...We want to send the same message to the criminals that they've been sending to us. It's our time and we're taking it back, and we're sending it in a mighty way," said Hinds County Sheriff Tyrone Lewis.
The national event was held August 7th, but county law enforcement chose September for milder temperatures and a more pleasant atmosphere in which neighbors could meet and mingle.
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