Police Department to hold Night Out kickoff party

by LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press 

The Copperas Cove Police Department is inviting the community to come downtown on Saturday night for the National Night Out kickoff party from 6-8 p.m.
Sponsored by the Copperas Cove Police Department, the evening will be supported by groups like the Law Enforcement Explorers, the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, the Citizens Fire and Public Safety Volunteers Association, the Copperas Cove Fire Department, as well as numerous businesses and local sponsors.
The party will be held at the intersection of Avenue E and South Main Street. Most activities are free, with others costing 25 cents.
Tickets for hot dogs and snacks are available for 25 cents each. Each person who attends will receive one free ticket for a chance to win one of a number of door prizes donated by sponsors and local businesses. 
Kids of all ages can visit with mascots Eddie Eagle, H-E-Buddy, McGruff the Crime Dog, and Sparky the Fire Dog. Musical entertainment will be provided by the YMCA.
At the kickoff party, registrations will also be accepted for Cove Watch, a new program being implemented by the CCPD. Similar to the city’s emergency notification program, Code Red, Cove Watch will enable residents to receive real-time information about crimes occurring within their neighborhood. 
Interested residents can complete a registration form which includes their name, address, phone number and email, and if they have security cameras on their property. Also, they can select the type of notification they’d like to receive from the department and if they’d like to participate in the department’s video surveillance partner program. 
Tomorrow night’s kickoff party also serves as the opening event for National Night Out in Copperas Cove, set for Tuesday, October 3. 
Registration has been under way, with more being accepted. All that involves registering your neighborhood for a block party is downloading and completing a form, and turning it in at the police department or emailing it to Sgt. Martin Ruiz, the police department’s community relations office. For more information about registering for a block party, contact Ruiz at 254-547-8222 ext. 6956 or mruiz@copperascovetx.gov. 
Police and fire personnel will try to visit every registered block party in the city. At past parties, the fire department has brought engines and ambulances for kids of all ages to explore.
Throughout Copperas Cove, neighborhoods have held cookouts and potluck suppers during National Night Out. One neighborhood has gathered at the cul-de-sac of Jase Court every year since 2004. 
The National Night Out program is a nationwide program that involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, and neighborhood organizations in an annual crime and drug prevention event.