Not even the threat of rain could keep over 300 residents from New Cassel and other neighboring communities from showing up to support New Cassel's first National Night Out. The event, held Aug. 1, celebrated efforts to clean up drugs and crime across America, and was sponsored by the New Cassel Weed and Seed, in partnership with the Nassau County Police Department, the Town of North Hempstead, the New Cassel Neighborhood Advisory Council, and several other agencies and organizations.

The aim of the event was to promote involvement in crime and drug prevention activities, to strengthen police/community relations, and to encourage neighborhood camaraderie as part of the fight for safer streets.

Weed and Seed is a multi-agency strategy that "weeds out" violent crime, gang activity, drug use, and drug trafficking in targeted high-crime neighborhoods and then "seeds" the target area by restoring these neighborhoods through social and economic revitalization.

The kick-off for the National Night Out was a march led by the New Cassel Drug Fighters at Prospect Ave. and Hopper St. and ended at the New Cassel Martin "Bunky" Reid Park. The program began with greetings and thanks by Bernice Hill, New Cassel Weed and Seed coordinator. Mary O'Donoghue, Assistant US Attorney of the Eastern District US Attorney's office also greeted the crowd and spoke briefly about the Weed and Seed strategy and its role in the community.

The Nassau County Police Department's Captain Richard Meyer, Deputy Commissioner of the 3rd Precinct was in attendance and, on behalf of Nassau County Executive Thomas Gulotta, presented a proclamation to O'Donoghue and Hill.

Other officials who attended in support of the event were: Janet Wohlar, Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety, representing Town of North Hempstead Supervisor May Newburger; Deputy Mayor of the Village of Westbury Paul Echausse; Alphonse Campbell and John Meegan, Village of Westbury Trustees; John Bartunic of the Westbury Fire Department; Reverend Adrienne Brewington, pastor of Westbury United Methodist Church; and Eddie Eason, president of the Westbury Community Improvement Corporation.

There was an exciting and energizing entertainment program coordinated by Kathleen Ruppert, outreach worker for North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center, The Place. The Youth of Culture Club of The Place performed songs and poetry readings. The Bethany Seventh Day Adventist Church performed two gospel songs. Guest artist, Bubba, who records on DMT Production, graced the crowd with a performance.

Lieutenant Matthew Simeone of the 3rd Precinct, who is very active in the New Cassel Weed and Seed strategy and on the NNO planning committee representing Law Enforcement, was accompanied by police officers who provided Kids Pics and bicycle registration for the many children present.

Organizations and agencies that set up tables and provided brochures and information were: Westbury Fire Department; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Pi Pi Omega Chapter; Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Beta Beta Chapter in partnership with Voter Registration; Links, Inc., Long Island Chapter; National Council of Negro Women, Long Island Cross County Section; New Cassel Environmental Justice Project; Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter; New Cassel/Westbury Youth Services Project Weed and Seed Safe Haven; New Cassel Drug Fighters Wrice Process; and New Cassel Auxiliary Police Unit 216.

The following neighborhood stores contributed snacks and beverages: BJ's Wholesale, Edwards, Pathmark, Waldbaum's, 7-Eleven Powell's Lane store, King Kullen, and the Unified Civic Association of New Cassel who also rented a helium tank for the balloons.

Members of the hard-working committee included: Bernice Hill, Lieutenant Matthew Simeone, Margaret Miller-Scott, Tracy Neal, Beverly Lucas, Shawn Brown, John Gonzales, Dorothy Royal, Dawn Spruill, and Kathleen Ruppert.