AULANDER n If Aulander officials have their way, this sleepy little town tucked just inside the Bertie County line will treat criminal activity just as they would a bowl of week-old chicken salad n tossed it out in the garbage.

In an effort to raise community awareness to crime prevention, the Town of Aulander will take part in a National Night Out event on Tuesday, Aug. 2. The local event, which is open free to the public, is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. at the Aulander Community Building, located on South Commerce Street across from Massey Funeral Home.

"We're giving crime and drugs a going away party," said Jimmy Barmer, Chief of the Aulander Police Department. "Please come out and help us say goodbye to those who choose an illegal lifestyle. We want to raise awareness to crime prevention. The more we are able to get the citizens involved, the safer we can make our communities and our neighborhoods."

Aulander citizens and business owners within the town will join in on a national event. An expected 33 million people in 10,000 communities nationwide will join forces on Aug. 2 to promote police-community partnership, crime, drug and violence prevention, promote neighborhood unity and to fingerprint nearly two million children who run a daily risk of abduction.

Barmer said the event will feature free hot dogs, a dunking booth and games for the kids, possibly including a 14-foot slide.

Additionally, information tables will feature displays from law enforcement and fire/rescue officials. Those individuals will be available to answer questions concerning public safety.

"We want to send a message to those thinking about criminal activity in our town that we are organized to fight back against them," Barmer said.

In signing a proclamation that includes the town in the National Night Out event, Aulander Mayor Joe Jernigan said, "It is essential that all citizens of Aulander are aware of the importance of crime prevention programs and the impact their participation can have on reducing crime, drugs and violence in our town."

"This is our first time in doing this so let's make this a big event that maybe other communities in our area will follow," Barmer concluded. "That way, not only will we keep crime out of Aulander, but other local towns as well."

To date, numerous business and individuals have opted to sponsor Aulander's version of National Night Out. They are as follows:

Friendly Food Mart

Wilder Funeral Home

Ryan's Caf\u00E9

Massey Funeral Home

Britt Trucking

Golden Peanut

Farm Bureau

Larry Cooke

Bertie Ambulance Service Inc.

Town of Aulander

AT Byrum

Duck Thru

Maybelline Cleaning Service

Mediport, Inc.

Southern Bank of Aulander

Terry's Hardware

Wal Mart

DBA Preferred Medical Transport

Red Apple Market

Trinity Plus One

Sandpiper Square

Pepsi of Elizabeth City

Aulander Medical Practice, PA

Denise Wilder

Aulander Fire Dept

Aulander Rescue Squad

Aulander Ruritan Club

Ahoskie Police Dept

Murfreesboro Police Dept.

Bertie County Sheriffs Dept

Signs By Richard

Windsor Police Dept.

John Finch Early VFW and Ladies Auxiliary

Winton Police Dept.

Bertie County Community Corrections

C&M Metals

Guiding Light Home Health Care, Inc.

B&EDJ Services

Roanoke-Chowan News-Herald