Island takes part in National Night Out

by Donna M. Webb
Grand Island Dispatch, August 10, 2007

Sheriff’s Deputy Terance Guenot and K-9 Rikor were on hand during the event that stresses
partnership between the police and the community. (photo by William Worthy)

After what was shaping up to be a rain-filled evening, there was both good weather and good attendance as Grand Island participated in the National Night Out on Tuesday at the Marion E. Town Common.

About 200 people came out for an evening offering food, entertainment, and information. Supervisor Peter McMahon and Town Councilman Gary Roesch were there and spoke to many in the crowd. The community has taken part in the annual National Night Out for about four years, Roesch said.

Police-Community Partnership

The event’s purpose is to promote neighborhood spirit and strengthen police-community partnerships in the fight against drugs and crime. It was begun 24 years ago by the National Association of Town Watch. In 2006, more than 34 million people took part in similar events in all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide, according to the Web site www.nationaltownwatch.org.

At the Grand Island Rotary Gazebo, the Niagara Frontier Fiddle Club played for the enjoyment of many. Children waited in a never-ending line for their chance to tell Dave Fultz what special balloon creation they wanted him to make. Fultz took a few moments off and asked the crowd, “Would anyone like to see my son and I throw fire at each other?” Fultz then juggled flaming torches and tossed them back and forth to his son, Kyle, age 19. The father-and-son team comprises a company called Gravitational Bull, which provides comedy and juggling for various events.

The Grand Island Fire Company brought fire rescue trucks and some of their special operations equipment. Officers from the Grand Island Police and Erie County Sheriff’s Departments were also present. The New York State Police and the U.S. Border Patrol had representatives at the National Night Out, as well.

Stephen Stouter, EMT and a director of the Grand Island Fire Company, was there with several Islanders who volunteer as Community Emergency Response Team members. Stouter is the CERT coordinator for Grand Island. The volunteers have been trained in first aid, fire suppression and light search and rescue efforts.

In emergency situations, CERT members can take care of themselves, their families and neighbors. There are about 35 trained volunteers on the Grand Island team. “We had one of the first CERT teams organized in Western New York. … We’re hopefully going to do another training course in the fall,” Stouter added. He explained that the group’s first activation was during the October 2006 surprise storm: “We opened the emergency shelter at Sidway School. That worked out pretty well.”

Cheryl Chamberlain, the adviser for Grand Island High School’s DECA Club, circulated among the crowd and handed out red flyers that described “pharming.” This is the misuse of prescription medications in order to induce a “high” feeling. The flyer stated that national surveys show one in five teen-agers has intentionally misused a prescription medication and that “pharming” is taking place on Grand Island. The information handed out urged people to talk to children about the risks involved and remove any expired medicines from their cabinets.

This flyer was a product of Grand Island High School Principal Sandra Anzalone’s efforts, along with others who, like Anzalone, are members of a group called “One Island, One Team, One Dream … to be Drug-Free.” The Grand Island schools, GIFTS program, Youth Board and police all have representatives who attend the meetings of this recently formed group.

Chamberlain also assisted in a joint Youth Board/DECA Club project on Tuesday evening to create child ID kits for parents. Chamberlain, along with Donna LaVallee of the Youth Board, her son, Charlie, and DECA Club member Amanda Camizzi took photographs of the children and fingerprinted them. They did about 40 kits on Tuesday night.

A number of other groups and organizations staffed tables at the National Night Out. Dorothy Bittner of the Grand Island Traffic Safety Board gave out laminated yellow signs that people could put on their mailboxes in September. These warn drivers to watch for children crossing at school bus stops. Michael Berenguer, a member of the U.S. Coast Guard assigned to the Buffalo station, distributed flyers listing ways citizens could help the Homeland Security Department keep the waterways safe. There was also a representative from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Trish Birtz. “We are the extra eyes and ears for the Coast Guard,” Birtz said. She belongs to Flotilla 3-5, which is based on Grand Island and has about 35 members.

The YWCA of the Tonawandas provided information about the various summer camps they are offering on Grand Island. They also advertised a six-week class entitled “Common Sense Parenting,” which is coming soon to Grand Island. Several girls who are working in the Grand Island Recreation Department this summer were on hand to help youngsters make foam visors.

The Grand Island Alumni Association advertised their upcoming East River Duck Race on Aug. 21. One could “buy a duck for five bucks.” The owner of the winning duck will receive a prize package that includes a signed Sabres retro jersey and a catered dinner for 20 people from Chef’s Restaurant. Money raised through the duck race will fund scholarships for high school seniors.

Those who worked up an appetite while at the National Night Out had several options. The Grand Island Zonta Club sold hot dogs, chips, and pop at modest prices. Tops Market gave out free snacks and ice water. Last – but certainly not least – ice cream cones and sundaes could be purchased from the Ladies Auxiliary of the Grand Island Fire Company.

One resident was asked why she attended the National Night Out. “I came for the concert,” Louise Zelonis said, “but I think my husband came for the food!”