Some residents of Jim Thorpe plan to host the National Night Out program next year at Memorial Park. Borough Council was approached about utilizing the park for the program in August of 2012, and the council approved the request.

National Night Out is a crime/drug prevention program that takes place all over the country and certain members of the Community Watch group wish to bring it to Jim Thorpe.The Community Watch group focuses on watching out and caring for the community of Jim Thorpe. The group works on maintaining and improving the quality of living by creating awareness.Mayor Michael Sofranko stated, "We are looking to get this program off the ground."National Night Out brings out Police, Emergency Services, community groups, civic groups, children, parents, and citizens."This will be a great way to meet the police officers and thank them. The program is to show support and get the message to people," stated Jamie Solomon, Community Watch Coordinator.Along with Solomon, Community Watch members, Cindy Henning and Guy Antolick, have attended other communities National Night Out to get a feel for what the program is about."It's basically to strengthen the community. It's to be behind the police force and to let criminals know we are all a community and we are working together," stated Henning."This is designed for the community, especially kids, to meet the police and to get to know them," she added.Antolick said that the event is to show that the community backs the police and that the community will take a stand against crime.National Night Out is a free program to attend and it will be non-political. Anything sold will go towards charities and non-profit organizations.Jim Thorpe Police Department Patrolman, Eric Schrantz, said that they wanted to get people involved in this program and to get volunteers to make this happen."We want to form a committee and get all age groups to organize it," said Henning.Solomon stated, "Getting many people involved will really help to get this program going."Mayor Sofranko and Solomon wished to thank the Jim Thorpe Borough Council and the Jim Thorpe Police Department for their support. They also wish to thank the volunteers who are already involved and those who wish to become involved.National Night Out is to be held August 7, 2012, giving volunteers a year to plan the program for the community.Information about National Night Out will be presented at the next Community Watch meeting on Thursday at 7pm located at Memorial Hall.