Keeping DeBary safe

BEACON PHOTO/PAT HATFIELD
In the slammer — DeBary Safety Officer Alan Williamson, behind bars, asks for an early release program. It was part of the evening's fun at DeBary's National Night Out Aug. 4.

BEACON PHOTO/PAT HATFIELD
Talking car — A talking mini-patrol car was the hit of DeBary’s Night Out, especially with the younger crowd. Citizen Observer Program volunteer Dave Asson shows the car to 2-year-old Tyler White and his mother, Terry.

BEACON PHOTO/PAT HATFIELD
A nice chat — James Alex Cardano, 4, has a nice chat with the Sheriff's Office talking car during the DeBary Night Out Aug. 4.

BEACON PHOTO/PAT HATFIELD
The gardening life — DeBary Garden Club President Sue Urban, left, and Treasurer Pat Pandeline talk how to grow your garden. Along with growing gorgeous flowers, they also offer classes in "square-foot gardening." The club has been in DeBary since 1955, they said.

BEACON PHOTO/PAT HATFIELD
Robot takes the hits — Deputy Joe Durney, left, and Deputy Lou Marino, right, of the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, show off the Bomb Squad’s bomb robot. Deputies can send the robot into hazardous situations to retrieve suspected bombs, instead of risking lives.

BEACON PHOTO/PAT HATFIELD
Move over, Mel Blanc — Volunteer Joseph Cohen from the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office provides a cartoonlike voice for the talking cruiser, with the help of a voice modulator. Mel Blanc provided the voice for Looney Tunes characters and more.

BEACON PHOTO/PAT HATFIELD
The Coast Guard life — Coast Guard Lt. Col. John Bennett and Staff Officer Secretary Jo Opisso, both of Flotilla 45 in Sanford, talk Coast Guard service to the community. They were also willing to talk to anyone interested in pursuing the boating life.

By Pat Hatfield
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Aug 12, 2009 - 9:00:30am

DeBary Safety Officer Alan Williamson was in the slammer Aug. 4. His offense? Coordinating DeBary’s Night Out.

DeBary was one of many cities in the area and around the country to take part in National Night Out Against Crime, an effort to unify citizens and teach them about crime-fighting resources.

Night Out in DeBary took over Florence K. Little Town Hall, the scene of Williamson’s “arrest.” Williamson seemed to enjoy his incarceration, which was just for fun.

While deputies from the Sheriff’s Office showed off their newest high-tech gadgets and Citizen Observer Program (COPs) fingerprinted children, it wasn’t all about crime-prevention awareness and emergencies. County Emergency Management provided hurricane-tracking charts and brochures on preparing for storms.

Along with tips to prevent crime and keep homes safe, the evening provided a community fair of sorts.

Representatives from DeBary Hall, the DeBary Garden Club, Recycle the Rain (rain barrels), the Coast Guard and other civic-minded groups set up tables inside the Town Hall.

A talking Sheriff’s Office car conversed with children, courtesy of remote control and with the help of Sheriff’s Office community liaison Joseph Cohen.

Williamson said 350-400 people attended the event. They ate free hot dogs provided by the Volunteer Fireman’s Association as they walked and talked at the booths and examined educational materials.

The Night Out was the 26th annual night against crime sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. The event is geared toward generating support for crime-fighting programs and community partnerships with local law-enforcement personnel. More than 15,000 communities in every state participate.

— pat@beacononlinenews.com

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