The Flint (MI) Journal (8/4, Longley) reported, "The city of Flint has hired six people for its new blight enforcement program. Now, the part-time employees must undergo the last leg of training before they take to the streets of Flint. City Administrator Gregory Eason said he wants to make sure the blight enforcement officers are fully educated about the city's blight ordinances and fully prepared to encounter any situation that may arise on the job." "They are going into some very rough areas," said Councilman Bernard Lawler, "who said he's been collecting blight referrals since he took office in January." The Journal notes that the officers "are expected to start working by the end of the month," and Eason believes "in an admittedly ambitious plan" that he hopes "to have two-thirds of the city covered in six months by the blight enforcement officers."

KFYR-TV Bismarck, ND (8/4, Colclausre) reported, "Sleepy Hollow in Bismarck was a very safe place to be this evening. Dozens of firefighters, police officers, ambulance crews and other public safety officers were there for a community safety social. The event was held as a part of National Night Out, a community building campaign designed to help prevent crime and generate support for anti-crime programs. Families were able to come look at different equipment that agencies use, and kids got a chance to try their hand at putting out fires. While the safety social is centered around fun it also serves another purpose: letting community members know these people are there to help." Jeremy Francis of the Bismarck Fire Department said, "I think it`s important to also let the kids know that if they see us, not to be scared."