Consumers Energy Receives National Recognition for Promoting Crime Prevention Awareness

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Dec. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- For the 22nd 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 the only electric utility in the country that received recognition for its participation in the 32^nd 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. 4. 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.

Consumers Energy representatives and local organizers distributed CFL 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 electric 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."

In addition to the Grand Rapids area events, Consumers Energy participated in NNO activities in Howard City, Battle Creek, Flint Township, Saginaw Township, East Tawas, Roscommon and Pontiac. 

The 2015 NNO event was the largest ever, involving approximately 38.3 million people in more than 16,700 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 6.6 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com.

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NNO By the Numbers

Founded:       1984
Participants:   38.3 million
Communities: 16,728
U.S. States     50

Website:         www.nno.org

SOURCE Consumers Energy

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