National Night Out gatherings were held across town Tuesday night for the community to come together with law enforcement against crime.

The main celebration was held at City Park pavilion on Lee Street with music, children’s activities and lots of food.

Vicksburg Police Chief Walter Armstrong called the event the “official going away party for crime.” He said he is committed to working with citizens as partners and fighting together to make Vicksburg better.

“Crime will not be tolerated,” Armstrong said, emphasizing those who are caught will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

The city’s new motor coach transported people from the senior center to the event. Inflatable bouncy houses were on hand for children to play while the parents talked and listened to the band Slap Happy. The band performed for the crowd as they filtered in and out during the three-hour gathering.

Mayor George Flaggs Jr. said the event was the perfect opportunity for the community to network and the city to raise awareness. He encouraged people to say something if they see anything that looks like crime and wanted to remind people if they call 911 they are not required to give their name if they feel uncomfortable. The way he said the community can stop crime is through communication.

“This is an opportunity for us to make certain the community and the neighborhoods are aware that we are serious about stopping the crime in our community,” Flaggs said.

Lindia Sanders attended the cookout to thank officers for really stepping up their patrols after she called them with concerns about her neighborhood. She said Armstrong, Bobby Stewart and Milton Moore listened to her very respectfully and now she wants to show them support.

“Every since I’ve talked to them, I’ve seen a difference,” Sanders said.

Numerous law enforcement officers walked around talking to the public and enjoying the community atmosphere.

National Street resident Kristin Baylot came to have an enjoyable evening as well as to see what she could learn about neighborhood protection because her street has heavy traffic, which tends to invite crime.

“I just feel like the crime needs to come down,” Baylot said.

Hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, popcorn, cotton candy and chips were offered to the crowd to eat. AmeriCorps volunteers were giving their time to help serve the food and watch the children as they bounced the night away.

“We’re just volunteering and helping with the Vicksburg Police Department,” said Jonathan Shaw, of AmericCorps NCCC Delta 6. “We’re helping out as needed, where needed.”

Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace gave all the credit to the city of Vicksburg for organizing the event for the community.

“The city of Vicksburg has really gone out of their way this year to promote this event with activities for the kids as well as entertainment for the adults,” Pace said. “The purpose is to open a conversation and a dialogue about crime awareness and crime prevention.”

City Park pavilion wasn’t the only get together occurring Tuesday night. Pace was trying to make an appearance at each of the other neighborhood group events that occurred in recognition of National Night Out.

Neighborhood watches from around the city had their own potlucks and cookouts including a group that met at the intersection of Drummond and Forrest streets.

Neighbors Anita Schilling, Logan Peay and Susan Morang have been planning their gathering every year for the past three years since Schilling’s house was broken into. They said when something like that happens it really brings the neighborhood together and they start to look out for each other.

“When you have something happen you get reignited,” Schilling said.

The group of people spent the evening getting to know each other better over a meal while talking about security.

“I’m hoping that people will get to know each other, that we’ll work as a neighborhood to combat crime and just be informed citizens and have a good time,” Morang said.

The Drummond Street area has become particularly active on the website nextdoor.com, a social media style website where residents message each other about things going on in the neighborhood.

Retired Vicksburg police Sgt. Doug Arp said police can’t be everywhere all the time so when neighbors get to know each other they are more willing to look out for each other and are more aware when things are not right.

Other than getting bitten by a spider on his hand the first day, Arp said the living in a dumpster stunt went great because his efforts have been noticed. Just this week Arp said his neighbors witnessed four people attempting to break into his car and they called the police.

“Neighbors looking after neighbors definitely works,” Arp said.