By Andy Simek
SOUTH FALLSBURG — August 8, 2006 – It is not often that crime awareness comes about via basketball, but if the opportunity arises, why not take advantage?
The National Night Out program, a basketball event held throughout the country to bring awareness to communities about crime and emergency preparedness, came to South Fallsburg’s Bryan Ingber Park on Tuesday evening.
In South Fallsburg, the program has evolved over the last three years from a single evening of fun to a summer-long program where varsity basketball players become the coaches.
This year’s program had approximately 50 young athletes from ages 9 to 13.
Ruby Gold, who has been in charge of the program since its creation, has worked with the Center for Fallsburg Youth, the Town of Fallsburg as well as the Fallsburg Police Benevolent Association to bring the program to life and keep the youth off the streets and on the basketball court.
This year’s event included a 3-on-3 tournament, a barbecue, face-painting, assorted arts and crafts and music.
The highlight of the evening for the participants was the awards ceremony, which was presided over by former New York Knicks player Melvin Davis.
Awards and plaques were handed out to all the players and coaches who made this summer’s program a success, a group which Gold said “couldn’t have been any better.”