National Night Out

On Tuesday evening, August 3, HOC participated in numerous National Night Out events held throughout the County.

One HOC property, Paddington Square in Silver Spring, joined other members of the Silver Spring community at the Gwendolyn E. Coffield Community Center, located at 2450 Lyttonsville Road. The event, which was attended by approximately 100 neighborhood residents, featured presentations by the police, raffles and karate demonstrations by students. Poppijng in to say hello were: County Executive Ike Leggett, Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Councilmember Valerie Ervin, Police Chief Tom Manger and John McCarthy, State's Attorney for Montgomery County.

Sincerria Carter, resident and head of the Neighborhood Watch Committee at Paddington Square, attended National Night Out at the Coffield Community Center. Carter leads a group of about 10 Paddington Square residents, who meet once a week to "walk the property" at Paddington Square. They share information with their neighbors about ways to keep Paddington a safe community. For instance, if they see unlocked, parked cars with items visible that could be stolen, they post a note on the car, advising the owner to lock their car doors.

"A lot of times we see things that could become a problem and point that out to Michelle (Wright)," said Carter. Michelle Wright is HOC's manager at Paddington Square. The Neighborhood Watch Committee also has regular meetings and sponsors various events at Paddington Square. Ms. Carter has been the head of the Neighborhood Watch Committee at Paddington for the past two years.

Photo at Left: Sincerria Carter (middle of photo), head of Paddington Square's "Neighborhood Watch Committee," and Sandy Tuttle, (far right) HOC Counselor at Paddington Square attended National Night Out.

Photo at Right: Officers from Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Department and Jessica Fusillo, from Montgomery County's Department of Environmental Protection, represented their organizations at National Night Out. Jessica is also a member of the Board of Housing Opportunities Community Partners (HOC's nonprofit).

National Night Out, August 3, as celebrated at HOC public housing properties, Emory Grove Village and Washington Square in Gaithersburg, involves a community walk between the two communities, recreational sports for children, popsicles and police presentations. Click on the picture below of Jonathan Cartagena, HOC Youth Resident Counselor at Emory Grove Village, leading the kids in hula hoops for more pictures of the evening.

		Search HOC Site
		10400 Detrick Avenue Kensington, MD 20895 (240) 773-9000 (Phone) (301) 949-4690 (Fax) Maryland Relay Number: 711(TTY)