LAPLACE — As part of the 31st annual Night Out Against Crime, dozens of communities and organizations in St. John the Baptist Parish are joining together in the festivities.

Night Out Against Crime, which takes place Tuesday, is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support and participation on local anti-crime efforts, strengthen neighborhood spiriting and police community relations and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

“Night out against crime is a national event, where a city takes a stand against crime in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Department and different law enforcement agencies,” Sgt. Marshall Carmouche. “It’s the community coming together to stand against crime and stand in solidarity, showing that crime will not be tolerated.”

Night Out Against Crime is a way for a community together, Carmouche said.

“I’ve been with the Sheriff’s Office for 20 years, and for as long as I can remember, the St. John Sheriff’s Office has been doing night out against crime,” Carmouche said.

To celebrate the night, individuals and groups have parties all over St. John the Baptist Parish. According to Carmouche, some have different activities for children like space walks, DJs and one party in Garyville is having a blood drive.

Deputies in the Sheriff’s Office go to every party registered on their website.

“We meet, have a briefing and then break up into different groups to visit with the people and different parties,” Carmouche said.

As of Thursday morning, there were 46 registered parties in St. John the Baptist Parish.

“That says something about the partnership between the Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement and the community,” Carmouche said. “It’s a way to take a stand against crime and criminals.”

Carmouche says his favorite part of the night is visiting with the public, dancing and enjoying the food people share. He looks forward to the night every year.

To register your party, log onto stjohnsheriff.org and click “National Night Out” link. People can also find party ideas.

For questions, contact the St. John Parish Sheriffs’ Office Community Relations Division at 985-652-7058.

Along with individual’s parties, the Belle Terre Civic Association is also hosting something for Night Out Against Crime.

“We are going to invite all of the residents to join together at the fire station and celebrate night out against crime and give people a chance to get to know each other,” Rajender Pannu said.

Pannu serves as president of the Belle Terre Civic Association.

The celebration is scheduled from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Fire Station at 100 St. Andrews Blvd., across from The Links subdivision.

Pannu says the Belle Terre Civic Association celebrates the Night Out Against Crime every year and attendance keeps increasing.

“It’s to let people know that we are there for each other and we are trying to keep our community free of crime,” Pannu said.

“We are united and will fight against people trying to come into our community to rob us.”

— By Raquel Derganz Baker