For Release – July 15, 2010
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT – AUGUST 3, 2010
On Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010, neighborhoods throughout Magnolia are being invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the “27th Annual National Night Out” crime and drug prevention event. National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and co-sponsored locally by the Southern Arkansas University Police Department, will involve over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, over 37 million people are expected to participate in ‘America’s Night Out Against Crime’.
National Night Out is designed to: (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts; (3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and (4) Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
From 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on August 3rd, residents in Magnolia and across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police. The Southern Arkansas University Police Department is hosting various activities for the community. Starting at 6:00 p.m. the Rider Rink will be open for free skating, popcorn and drinks. The police department will hand out Child ID Kits which include fingerprint, DNA, and description information to help identify children in the event of an emergency. Activity books, balloons and stickers will also be provided.
Please join us in building a safer community here in Magnolia and at Southern Arkansas University.
For Immediate Release
SAU Police Department preparing to plunge
MAGNOLIA – Officers from the Southern Arkansas University Police Department will be among several groups plunging into the National Guard Armory pond on Friday, Feb. 26, as part of the Area 15 Special Olympics “Polar Bear Plunge” fundraiser. The plunge will be the first of its kind in Magnolia.
Sponsored by Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority and Magnolia Specialized Services, the plunge is a fund raiser for Area 15 Special Olympics. University Police Chief Eric Plummer is calling for back-up from the campus and community to ensure that his officers make the plunge. To qualify for the plunge, each officer must raise at least $50 to be donated to Special Olympics. A Web site has been set up for donations, and Plummer hopes that this will help the group reach its goal.
Other groups on campus will also be participating, and Dr. Sheri Baggett-McMinn, associate professor of health, kinesiology and recreation and sponsor of the HKR Club, said the goal of the event is to raise $2,000 for Area 15 Special Olympics. Similar events in other parts of the state take place on Saturday, but Baggett-McMinn said that the Magnolia event is being held on Friday in an effort to attract students.
Although the event is dubbed a “plunge,” Baggett-McMinn said participants only have to go as far as they are comfortable. “They just have to get wet,” she said.
For more information on participating in the Polar Bear Plunge, contact Baggett-McMinn at (870) 235-4138. To donate to the University Police Department’s team, visit the Web site, http://www.firstgiving.com/saupd.
For Release – July 22,2009
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT – AUGUST 4, 2009
On Tuesday, August 4th, 2009, neighborhoods throughout Magnolia are being invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the “26th Annual National Night Out” crime and drug prevention event. National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and co-sponsored locally by the Southern Arkansas University Police Department, will involve over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, over 37 million people are expected to participate in ‘America’s Night Out Against Crime’.
National Night Out is designed to: (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts; (3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and (4) Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
From 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on August 4th, residents in Magnolia and across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police. The Southern Arkansas University Police Department is hosting various activities for the community. Starting at 6:00 p.m. on the mall area of campus, there will be bounce houses, cotton candy and popcorn provided. The police department will hand out 200 Child ID Kits which include fingerprint, DNA, and description information to help identify children in the event of an emergency. Activity books, balloons and stickers will also be provided. At 7:00 p.m. the police department along with the Student Activities Board will present the DreamWorks movie “Monsters vs. Aliens” in the Foundation Hall inside of the Reynolds Center.
National Project Coordinator Matt Peskin said, “This is a night for America to stand together to promote awareness, safety and neighborhood unity. National Night Out showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement in our fight to build a safer nation. On August 4th, we invite neighborhoods nationwide to join us in Giving Crime and Drugs A Going Away Party.”
Please join us in building a safer community here in Magnolia and at Southern Arkansas University.
