SPRING GARDEN TOWNSHIP, YORK COUNTY -- Police officers and firefighters were in full force Tuesday night in York County.
But they weren't fighting crime. They were spreading awareness of preventing it.
It was all part of National Night Out, an event designed for neighbors to work together to form a safe community.
Khalilah Carroll moved to York in May. She and her family were hoping their new home would be safer than it was in Baltimore County.
"We actually left not too long before all the commotion and chaos began," Carroll said.
Yet even before frustrations grew over the death of a young black man in police custody, Carroll fell victim to crime. "It was frightening, naturally we made the decision to move, our house was burglarized over the spring and we said it's time to go," she said.
So she and her family moved to Spring Garden Township. "We made the decision to move so far from our family because we wanted a safe environment for our children," Carroll said.
Spring Garden Police Chief George Swartz said, "By virtue of being here tonight, we're meeting them, talking, making contacts and they know who they can call if they need something."
Cheif Swartz said he was pleased with the turnout and hopes residents will pay attention to common crimes like vehicle thefts.
"We're talking about crime, and how they can protect themselves from becoming a victim," he concluded.
For more information on Spring Garden Township and its municipalities, click here.