Mayor to honor memory of Rosa Gibson

BUFFALO, N.Y. Press release - Mayor Byron W. Brown today announced that the City of Buffalo will honor the memory of Rosa Gibson by dedicating this year’s 26th Annual National Night Out neighborhood events in her memory. In addition, fees for block party permits, issued by the City of Buffalo, will again be waived for National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, August 4, 2009. 

In a transmission sent today to the city’s Common Council requesting their authorization to wave the permit fees, Mayor Brown wrote, “Last week, sadly, we lost one of our city’s leading National Night Out advocates, a champion of strengthening our residential neighborhoods and one of Buffalo’s great community activists, Rosa Gibson. To honor her unwavering commitment to the City of Buffalo, our neighborhoods and our residents, I will dedicate this year’s National Night Out in the memory of Rosa Gibson.”

National Night Out Against Crime began in 1984.  It started out as a “porch lights on” event, but has expanded over the years to include block parties, cookouts, parades, visits from police, festivals, neighborhood walks, safety fairs, contests, rallies and meetings.

“The permit fees are waived to encourage residents in every section of the city to participate with their neighbors in these worthwhile events,” said Mayor Brown.  “This is an excellent opportunity to get to know your neighbors and discuss the quality of life issues that affect your neighborhoods, such as blight, crime, drugs, graffiti, and other issues.  I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity.”

To apply for a block party permit for National Night Out, contact the City of Buffalo Department of Public Works at 851-5366 or log on to www.city-buffalo.com.  All applications are due back to the city by July 17, 2009.