I would like to thank all the people who made the National Night Out/South End Festival event on Aug. 2 such a huge success.

National Night Out is an annual event held in cities and towns across America to bring citizens, law enforcement, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials together to heighten awareness of crime and drug prevention programs, generate support and participation in our community, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are fighting back against crime.

More than 37 million people participated in National Night Out in 2010.

Waterville’s South End began holding its own Night Out event about eight years ago as a result of a partnership created between citizens and police. A community-oriented policing officer had been assigned to the South End to work with citizens and other stakeholders to reduce crime, solve problems, and improve the quality of life.

This community effort has brought about positive changes in the South End: a teen recreation center, teen programs, crime prevention programs, coordinated activities to clean up playgrounds and unsightly areas, and a heightened sense of pride in the neighborhood.

The Night Out/Festival is held each August at Green Street Park and offers great food, games, music, contests, and many hands-on and educational displays.

As I walked around the park that evening, smelling the hotdogs and hamburgers being grilled and watching children and adults having a great time, I could not help but smile and feel a sense of community spirit.

This event would not be possible if it were not for the commitment of hard-working citizens, groups and organizations, including members of the South End Neighborhood Association, fundraising efforts for the event by volunteers and their work with the teen center, the teen center kids who helped set up the event, South End Café that supplied electricity and water, KVCAP, and the Waterville Parks & Recreation.

Many other sponsors and vendors support the event year after year.

All once again came together to make a successful and fun event for everyone.

A special thanks goes to Todd Burbank, the community policing officer, for his effort working with citizens.

Everyone involved in making National Night Out a special event has made the city of Waterville a better place to live, work and play.

Joseph Massey is chief of the Waterville Police Department.