Consumers Energy Kicks Off Local National Night Out Activities to Prevent Crime; Promote Community Safety
Event Features Media, Government and Law Enforcement Leaders
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., August 1, 2017 /3BL Media/ – Fighting back against crime and promoting safer communities is the focus of statewide activities today involving Consumers Energy, local government leaders and law enforcement.
A 5:30 a.m. promotional event at Consumers Energy’s office, 4000 Clay Ave. SW, Wyoming, kicked off activities across Michigan in support of the 34th Annual National Night Out.
National Night Out, a year-long community building campaign, is designed to:
- Heighten crime prevention awareness;
- Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs;
- Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
- Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
This morning, two large Consumers Energy trucks extended their buckets 75 feet above U.S. 131 to help draw attention to the 5:30 to 8 a.m. event in Wyoming, just south of Grand Rapids.
Consumers Energy representatives, along with local organizers, media, governmental leaders and law enforcement officials from the Michigan State Police, the Kent County Sheriff’s Department and the cities of Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Rockford, Walker and Wyoming were onsite.
Consumers Energy employees and law enforcement officials distributed a limited supply of energy-efficient LED light bulbs along Clay Avenue during the event. LEDs last up to 25 times longer than a normal incandescent bulb and are ideal for safe porch lighting. On-air personality Andy Rent from “The River” 100.5 FM joined Eva Aguirre Cooper from WOOD-TV to broadcast live from the event.
“We appreciate the support we receive from our cities and law enforcement agencies not only for this annual event, but during every day of the year to keep our communities across Michigan safe,” said Guy Packard, Consumers Energy vice president of electric operations. “This event heightens awareness of crime and drug prevention and helps provide citizens the tools they need to stay safe at home and in their neighborhoods.”
Consumers Energy is participating in other National Night Out events in Kent, Muskegon, Saginaw and Roscommon counties Tuesday. The company is participating in a related community policing event in Flint next week.
For the 23rd consecutive year, Consumers Energy was recognized by the National Association of Town Watch as the recipient of a “National Electric Utility Award” for its participation in National Night Out in 2016.
The 2017 event is expected to be the largest ever, involving over 38 million people in more than 16,700 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. Residents are encouraged to participate by turning on their porch lights from 7-10 p.m. and to take part in any community activities planned.
In the Grand Rapids area, another Tuesday event will include The South Kent Night Out Against Crime, organized by the Kent County Sheriff’s Department, from 4-8 p.m. at 1439 Eastport Dr. SE. Grand Rapids, near Celebration Cinema South. Consumers Energy is among the participants at this free event.
Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
Media Contacts:
Roger Morgenstern
(616) 530-4364
Terry DeDoes
(517) 374-2159
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For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com.
