By Josh Troy
Clarksdale Advocate
The COVID pandemic began more than three years ago, but things are just starting to get back to normal.
Coahoma County Sheriff Charles Jones expressed those very sentiments when talking about the National Night Out program his office is putting together. National Night Out is a community-police awareness-raising event held on the first Tuesday of August every year.
The Coahoma County Sheriff’s Office National Night Out event is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. on August 1 at the Coahoma County Expo Center.
“National Night Out is about the community coming together and combating crime,” Jones said.
Jones mentioned that the Sheriff’s Office has hosted approximately five National Night Outs, but none have taken place since the COVID pandemic began.
“COVID changed everything for law enforcement,” he said. “We haven’t done anything since COVID. We went from executing search warrants to serving food. Now, we’re just trying to get back to normal and resume some of the activities we had planned before COVID.”
The National Night Out event will feature speakers discussing crime, vendors, representatives from the Clarksdale Police Department, fire departments, business owners, representatives from the medical profession, elected officials, and community leaders.
“We’ll have people there from every walk of life,” Jones said.
Refreshments will be available, and kids will have the opportunity to play games.
“We need as many people as possible,” Jones said. “We want to pack the house.”
Jones estimated that there have been 200 to 300 attendees at past National Night Out events.
“We just want to get back to normal,” Jones said. “We’re just starting to get back on track, and this event is going to help us achieve that.”
There is no charge to attend National Night Out. Anyone seeking more information or wishing to participate in the event may contact Kathy Pollard, administrative assistant to the Sheriff, at k.pollard@coahomacountysheriff.com.
