Mayor Bing kicks off 2011 Angels' Night Campaign

DETROIT (Tell Us Detroit) - Mayor Dave Bing along with Executive Fire Commissioner Donald Austin, Chief of Police Ralph Godbee Jr. and a host of business and community leaders, held a kickoff press conference for the 2011 Angels' Night campaign on Tuesday, September 27, at the corner of King Street, and John R., on the city's northeast end..

This year’s theme, “Watch Your Block,” encourages residents throughout the city to keep an eye on vacant structures and foreclosed homes on their block to help make Angels' Night 2010 a success.

“Once again, we ask for volunteers from throughout Detroit to work together to watch over our neighborhoods to keep our families, neighbors, and city safe during the Halloween period, October 29-31," said Mayor Bing.

"It's going to take the whole community to have a safe Angels' Night weekend," said new Fire Commissioner Donald Austin. He said that fire officials in Dearborn, Warren and Southfield have agreed to help Detroit's Fire Department during that weekend as well, as long as they aren't dealing with their own emergencies.

Volunteers, clad in orange T-shirts and black baseball caps bearing the phrase "Angels' Night Volunteer Campaign," joined Mayor Dave Bing in committing to make the three-day weekend a safe one.

"Seeing all these volunteers gives me hope that the city is turning the corner and is on the way back," Bing told the gathering on King Street near John R. "I need you on that weekend to be engaged; to be visible."

Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee reminded parents to keep their underage children off the streets in observance of the emergency curfew of 6 p.m. through 6 a.m. each of the three days.

"It's very important that people understand our curfew," Godbee said. "Let's get the word out, and make sure your children abide by it."

The Angels’ Night campaign – held annually from Oct. 29–31 – has become a time when residents join together to watch over the city to create a safe and enjoyable Halloween. This year’s Angels’ Night campaign includes several ways in which volunteers can get involved. Primary elements of the Angels’ Night program are:

• Register Your Community Event by calling (313) 224-4415 or visiting www.angelsnight.org.

• The Watch Your Block Patrol Program organizes teams of volunteers to patrol streets in Detroit. Block clubs, Citizens’ Radio Patrols, community organizations and churches are encouraged to patrol a two- to three-block radius around their neighborhoods.

• The Adopt-A-House Program seeks volunteers to watch or adopt specific vacant buildings in city neighborhoods. "This Building Is Being Watched" signs are posted on adopted buildings.

• The Porch Light Program encourages volunteers to turn on their porch lights, or any outdoor lights, between dusk and dawn.

• The Eyes and Ears Program calls volunteers to regularly look out their windows to make sure no suspicious activity is taking place, and to call 9-1-1 if they do see something out of the ordinary.

• The Orange Ribbon Campaign encourages Detroiters to wear an orange ribbon tied in a bow to show their support for Angels’ Night efforts.

Volunteers are needed for each night during the three-day Halloween period (Oct. 29 – 31). City officials are also encouraging all residents to:
• Turn on outside lights at their businesses from dusk until morning on each day of the Halloween period.

• Report any suspicious activity they observe to the Detroit Police Department by calling 9-1-1.

• Place refuse containers or bulk items at the curb before 7 a.m. on the morning of the collection day, rather than the night before, and remove refuse containers immediately after refuse is collected.

Those volunteering for Angels' Night October 29-31 are asked to first report to their local Community Access Center (CAC) office. See the complete list of CAC offices below:

• Central District
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Ave., Suite 106, 48226
(313) 224-2989; Fax (313) 224-4334

• West District
19180 Grand River Ave., 48223
(313) 870-0649; Fax (313) 255-6489

• East District (at Butzel Family Center)
7737 Kercheval, 48214
(313) 628-2170; Fax (313) 579-7135

• Southwest District
7744 W. Vernor, 48209
(313) 628-2180; Fax (313) 842-0993

In addition to the Angels' Night activities, the Detroit Recreation Department and several Detroit Police precincts will host Halloween parties and activities for children on various evenings during the Halloween period.

The City of Detroit is also sponsoring the Angels’ Night Poster and Oratorical Contest for all Detroit K-12 students. Prizes include a new computer and monitor, a digital camera, and a gift certificate. Contest rules and official entry forms have been distributed to Detroit schools, recreation centers, and Community Access Centers (formerly Neighborhood City Halls). The contest rules and official entry form is also available at www.angelsnight.org. All poster and oratorical entries must be submitted by Friday, Oct. 7. If you have any questions, please call (313) 224-3766.

For more information about Angels’ Night, call the Community Access Centers at (313) 224-3450, or go to the Angels’ Night Web site at www.angelsnight.org.