Crime & Safety
Block Parties Planned for National Night Out in Maplewood
The event is organized by the Maplewood Police Department and aims to increase crime awareness and prevention.
Neighbors are banding together to plan multiple block parties throughout Maplewood from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, August 2.
It's part of the city's effort to celebrate National Night Out, an event designed to increase crime awareness, strengthen neighborhoods and generate support for local anti-crime efforts. This will be the 28th year for the event, and Maplewood has participated every time.
Neighbors who know and look out for each other help deter crime, said Sgt. Michael Martin of the .
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And that's why public safety officials help with the event. Every block that participates will receive a visit from the and Police Chief Steve Kruse. The police department will also supply hamburgers, hot dogs, ketchup and mustard, and hand out National Night Out T-shirts.
Twelve blocks have already signed up, but Martin hopes to increase the number to 20. Neighbors have until Friday, July 22, to sign up before the deadline, but Martin said to call even after the deadline. The city just needs to have time to map out the closed streets to plan emergency routes.
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Maplewood previously celebrated National Night Out at the , but some older residents had a difficult time attending, so the city started holding block parties.
The police department also started two Facebook pages: Maplewood Neighborhood Watch and Maplewood Business Watch.
To learn more about the event or sign up for a block party, call Sgt. Michael Martin at 314-646-3617.