Community Corner
Summit PD Hosts National Night Out
27th National Night Out is an effort to "heighten awareness and strengthen participation in anti-crime efforts."
Tonight from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on the Village Green, Summit law enforcement and residents will come together for National Night Out 2010.
National Night Out started as an effort to "heighten awareness and strengthen participation in anticrime efforts," according to a press release found on the event's Web site. It began in 1984 with 400 participating communities and has grown to nearly four times that number, with more than 15,000 communities nationwide will participate in the 27th National Night Out today. Some participating local communities are Hanover, Livingston Township, Madison and Chatham.
The event comes after two weeks of community outrage and services in the wake of the death of Abelino Mazariego, the Summit resident allegedly beaten to death by three area teenagers on July 17. Four of the five people charged in connection with Mazariego's death are Summit teens. 18-year-old Khayri Williams-Clark and and unidentifies 17-year-old minor have been charged with manslaughter, felony murder, homicide for causing serious bodily injury and first-degree robbery. Two additional unidentified juveniles are charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit robbery, aggravated assault and robbery.
An Overlook Hospital nurse, 39-year-old Stephan Randolph of Flemington, is also accused of stealing $640 from Mazariego's wallet when he was brought to the hospital for medical attention.
In spite of the carnival-like amenities at National Night Out—pizza, donuts and hot dogs will be provided, as well as prizes and local DJ Summit Soundz—the event tonight promises to be tinged with sadness in the wake of the recent murder. There will also be demonstrations by Master Yoo's Martial Arts and the Summit Stompers.
