Tuesday Event Features Media, Government and Law Enforcement Leaders
WASHINGTON – (RealEstateRama) — Consumers Energy will be joined by local broadcast media, law enforcement officers and governmental officials to host an early morning kick-off Tuesday, Aug. 2, promoting the 33rd Annual National Night Out.
On-air personality Andy Rent from “The River” 100.5 FM is scheduled to join Eva Aguirre Cooper from WOOD-TV to broadcast live from Consumers Energy’s office east of U.S. 131, between 36th and 44th streets. Two large Consumers Energy trucks will have their buckets extended 75 feet above U.S. 131 to help draw attention to the 5 to 9 a.m. event in Wyoming, just south of Grand Rapids.
“We appreciate the support we receive from our cities and law enforcement agencies not only for this annual event, but during every day of the year,” said Guy Packard, Consumers Energy vice president of electric operations. “We feel it’s very important to show our appreciation for police officers across our state. This event heightens awareness of crime and drug prevention. We also thank WOOD-TV 8 and ‘The River’ 100.5 FM for helping us promote that message.”
Consumers Energy representatives, along with local organizers, governmental leaders and law enforcement officials from Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Rockford, Walker, Wyoming and the Kent County Sheriff’s Department, will host the event outside the company’s Clay Avenue service center. Refreshments, including donuts and coffee donated by local businesses, will be provided.
Consumers Energy employees and law enforcement officials will be distributing energy-efficient compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs. CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy than a normal incandescent bulb, can last up to nine years and are ideal for both indoor and outdoor use, including porch lights.
Consumers Energy is participating in other National Night Out events in Kent, Muskegon and Roscommon counties next week.
For the 22nd consecutive year, Consumers Energy was recognized by the National Association of Town Watch as the recipient of a “National Electric Utility Award” for its participation in National Night Out in 2015.
National Night Out, a year-long community building campaign, is designed to:
Heighten crime prevention awareness;
Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs;
Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
The 2016 event is expected to be the largest ever, involving approximately 38.3 million people in more than 16,700 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. Residents are encouraged to participate by turning on their porch lights from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and to take part in any community activities planned.
National Night Out also includes a number of neighborhood and community-level events to support anti-crime efforts. In the Grand Rapids area, events include the South Kent Night Out Against Crime, organized by the Kent County Sheriff’s Department, from 4-8 p.m. outside Peppino’s Restaurant, 1515 Eastport Drive SE. Consumers Energy is among the participants at this free event, which will also include a Consumers Energy bucket truck, fire and police vehicles, equipment and displays, games, food, prizes, music and dancing.
In Muskegon County, Consumers Energy is working with the Muskegon Police Department and other law enforcement agencies to promote National Night Out beginning at 7 a.m. Tuesday outside Hot Rod Harley Davidson, 149 Shoreline Drive. A limited supply of CFL lightbulbs will be available. A Consumers Energy bucket truck and local fire department aerial truck will be on display.
Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.
Media Contacts: Roger Morgenstern, (616) 530-4364 or Terry DeDoes, (517) 374-2159
For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com.
