HPD plans farewell party for crime

National Night Out has become a celebration in more than 15,000 communities throughout the United States, and next week it will be coming to Havre.

The community gathering will feature a barbecue with food donated by many local businesses, possibly a visit by a U. S. Border Patrol Blackhawk helicopter and booths by a variety of local service groups.

It will be 6 to 8 p. m., Tuesday, in front of Montana State University-Northern's Student Union Building.

The intent of the program is to promote police-community partnership, foster neighborhood unity and provide information of drug abuse, crime, violence prevention and safety, according to Ryan Pearson, community policing liaison officer for the Havre Police Department.

The police and other law enforcement agencies are asking people to "join us in giving crime and drugs a going-away party," Pearson said.

Pearson has been organizing the night out ever since the city's new police chief, Kirt Fitch, implemented the program. Fitch ran a National Night Out program when he was chief in Maricopa, Ariz.

There will be no charge for the food or for any community activities, Pearson said, because local businesses have been so generous in providing contributions.

A free-will offering will be taken, and the money will go to the Boys & Girls Club of the Hi-Line.

Pearson said the family affair is aimed at fostering better relations between the police and community.

"We want kids and their parents to realize that we are here to help them," he said.

An electric guitar will be raffled off, he said. Already, more than 300 tickets have been sold, and more are being printed. Custom Collision Repair has painted the guitar.

Groups such as the Boy Scouts, the Jaycees, the Boys & Girls Club, the Eagles Club and the Lions Club have contributed and will take part, he said.

Several area police agencies will be on hand to talk to people and spread the word about crime prevention, he said. The Montana Army National Guard, Border Patrol, Hill County Sheriff's Department, Montana Highway Patrol-Havre Sector, the Havre Fire Department /EMS, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and Hill County Search and Rescue will all be there, he said.

Pearson said putting the program together has been a lot of work, but he has been amazed by the amount of community support, from businesses, service groups and college officials.

The Blackhawk should be a highlight of the evening, he said. But, he stressed, that is tentative.

"If Border Patrol needs the helicopter for its work," he said, "then of course, that part will be cancelled."