Saugus holds third crime prevention fair

SAUGUS – Police officers, firefighters, emergency management crews and families converged on the Saugus High School field Tuesday evening to take part in Target?s National Night Out crime prevention fair.Tuesday?s event was the 28th NNO for Target, and the third held in Saugus as kids got to meet the men and women who keep the streets safe.?It brings a sense of community, a sense of safety that we are here to let those criminals know they can?t come and take over our community,” said Tinere Jackson, an executive team leader in the Saugus Target?s Assets Protection Department. “When you see those blue uniforms out on the street and they?re out here talking to the community that sends out that we?re working together as a team.”Kids got to enjoy a castle bounce along with a DJ, free hot dogs and Pepsi, games and presentations by both firefighters and police officers, including a smoke house provided by Student Awareness of Fire Education (SAFE) to show how smoke can fill a room and how to escape.Even the Peabody Police Department?s Ford Mustang made an appearance.Saugus police officer Tim Fawcett of the K-9 Unit was on hand to show off his German Shepherd, Bruin, and his retired police dog Benny, both of which live at home with Fawcett and his family.?He is the show,” said Fawcett. “The kids love to pat him. He?s a sociable K-9 so he knows good from bad.”Linda Bradbury brought her kids to the fair and her 6-year-old daughter Katie had her face painted at Jackson?s face-painting booth. Bradbury said she first heard about NNO last year while shopping at Target and is hoping her three children can learn not to be scared of the police.?They get to experience what it?s like to see a police car and not be afraid and experience that there are people out there looking out for you,” said Bradbury. “My 4 year old gets excited when he sees a police car, but my 11 year old, she?s more scared.”Jackson has been running NNO for Target for several years, and with a store located right on Route 1, he thought it would be a perfect fit to introduce the event to the town.?Two years ago I decided that we needed to bring this event to Saugus,” said Jackson. “I reached out to the chief and other detectives at the Saugus Police Department and said, ?We need to put something together for Saugus to let them know who?s protecting them, who?s creating a safe environment for them to live and raise their children.?”Saugus selectman and State Rep. Donald Wong was there show his support for the program and said NNO is more than just a fun night out for kids.?It?s very important for the kids here to show them the safety aspect with police and fire,” said Wong. “There?s a lot of information here for prevention for kids. It?s a great thing that Target has come out to sponsor. They?re going to get a lot of information here that they didn?t know about.”