Consumers Energy Receives National Recognition for Promoting Crime Prevention Awareness

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Dec. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- For the 21st straight year, Consumers Energy has received a National Electric Utility Award from the National Association of Town Watch for its participation in the National Night Out (NNO) crime and drug prevention program.

Consumers Energy was one of two electric utilities in the country that received recognition for their participation in the 31^st annual event.

"Companies such as Consumers Energy enable us to reach more and more communities with National Night Out each year," said Matt A. Peskin, national project coordinator for the National Association of Town Watch. "We are pleased to once again honor Consumers Energy with a national award, and we are proud to have it involved in this powerful, community-building campaign."

Consumers Energy hosted activities at its Grand Rapids service center Aug. 5. The event that morning featured live radio and television broadcasts with local law enforcement agencies and media personalities to promote awareness of local drug and crime prevention programs.

The company also participated in community-led National Night Out activities in other Michigan communities, including Kentwood, Greenville, Battle Creek, Homer, Bronson, Flint, Saginaw Township, St. Johns, East Tawas and Pontiac. 

Consumers Energy representatives and local organizers distributed CFL light bulbs and refreshments to Grand Rapids-area residents. Governmental leaders and law enforcement officials from Grand Rapids, Grandville, Kentwood, Rockford, Walker, Wyoming and the Kent County Sheriff's Department all participated in the early morning event.

"The purpose of National Night Out is to heighten awareness of crime and drug prevention. Teaming up with local radio and television stations helps us promote that message," said Michele Kirkland, Consumers Energy's vice president of energy operations. "We appreciate the opportunity to work with local law enforcement agencies and other community organizations on this important issue and thank them for their award-winning efforts."

The 2014 NNO event was the largest ever, involving approximately 38.5 million people in more than 16,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide. Local residents were encouraged to participate by turning on their porch lights from 7 to 10 p.m.

NNO is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and is co-sponsored locally by Consumers Energy.

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.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.5 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

Media toolkit

NNO By the Numbers

Founded: 1984
Participants: 38.5 million
Communities: 16,000
U.S. States 50

Website:  www.nno.org

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com, join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ConsumersEnergyMichigan and follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/ConsumersEnergy.

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SOURCE Consumers Energy

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