Aug 4, 2008 7:10 pm US/Central
National Night Out On Way 'Out' For Some Cities
(WCCO)
This year marks the 25th year for National Night Out so on Tuesday night neighborhoods all over the country get together to promote crime prevention. But National Night Out may be on the way "out" for some Minnesota communities.
Sam and Clair Lehmann can't wait for National Night Out. Their mother, Michelle, organizes the event for the 5th Avenue neighborhood in South St. Paul.
"I really think it just helps to keep the neighborhood safe. It helps kids know other adults so if they needed to run to a house or run to someone for help," said Lehmann.
Minnesota leads the nation in closing the streets to have the best block parties every first Tuesday in August, but this maybe the last National Night Out here.
"This year Minnesota is not even competing for it," said Deb Griffith, who chairs the state's National Night Out committee.
She said many Minnesota communities are objecting to the salary of the national director. Matt Peskin started National Night Out, and the National Association of Town Watch, 25 years ago at offices in Pennsylvania.
Peskin didn't return calls made by WCCO, but the latest tax returns show Peskin paid himself more than $300,000 in salary and benefits. Some believe that's too much money for the head of a non-profit, and they want to see changes.
"When you consider that the police chiefs don't make that, any of the police officers don't make that. I mean nobody else makes that type of money," said Griffith.
State organizers hope Night Out's national sponsor -- Target Corporation -- will step in. But if there's no response nationally, Griffith is ready to break away. She's even got a new slogan for this year's grill aprons: Night To Unite.
"We will call it something else, but if I do my job right, no one will know the difference," she said.
Target Corporation said an assessment of the non-profit organization will be complete by the end of the year. Minnesota Crime Prevention Association will meet this Friday to discuss what will happen next year and advise Minnesota communities.
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