Originally postponed, the 2nd Annual West Plains National Night Out has now been canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. West Plains Police Chief Stephen P. Monticelli penned the following letter:
It is with regret the men and women of the West Plains Police Department are officially cancelling the 2nd Annual West Plains National Night Out. National Night Out for West Plains had originally been scheduled for August but, due to COVID-19, the national organization recommended all National Night Out Events be postponed until October 6th.
While we are disappointed to have to cancel this amazing event, the heightened potential of spreading COVID-19 and the inability to ensure social distancing, has made the cancellation necessary in order to keep community members safe. Making and keeping neighborhoods safe in our city is the goal for the West Plains Police Department as well as a primary focus of National Night Out. To host events which could potentially be hazardous to the health safety of the community would be a contradiction of the Police Department as well as National Night Out.
While National Night Out has been called off, the Police Department would still like all our citizens to be aware of possible criminal activities occurring in their neighborhoods. Making sure homes and vehicles are locked and secured, reporting suspicious people, vehicles, and activities in neighborhoods, and forming neighborhood watch programs are all excellent steps community members can take to regain control over their neighborhoods from criminals and their activities. If you see something, say something.
The men and women of the West Plains Police Department are always ready to assist our community in any way we can twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year. We are only one call away.
