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The annual celebration unites neighbors as a way to keep communities safe. But some Minnesota cities have opted out of the event because of a controversy over how much the group’s national leader makes.
Golden Valley officials have dubbed their new locally focused event today “Night to Unite.” Minnetonka and Dakota County are launching their own efforts, and Blaine and South St. Paul plan to do so next year.
Some communities are uncomfortable with how much the group’s national leader, Matt Peskin, takes in — $322,000 in salary and benefits.
The Minnesota Crime Prevention Association is meeting next week to discuss whether to start a new state-based effort next year.
“It’s all about fiscal irresponsibility,” Deb Griffith, chairwoman of tonight’s event for the Minnesota association, said about Peskin’s compensation, which is a third of the National Night Out organization’s $1 million budget.
Many communities, including Minneapolis, St. Paul and Burnsville, are sticking with his program.
“What on Earth does Matt Peskin’s salary have to do with anything?” asked John Baumann, who manages Night Out activities for Minneapolis.
“The story here is lots and lots of people getting to know their neighbors better. ... It’s about what are you going to do at the local level to get crime under control, and this is one of the pieces you can do,” he said.
Peskin said his compensation is fair, adding that he has worked for 30 years to develop the anti-crime program and earned very little in the early years.
“My compensation is just one measure of NATW,” Peskin said from Wynnewood, Pa., where the organization is based. “The real measure is what National Night Out accomplishes. This year, National Night Out will bring together 36 million Americans, in 12,000 communities, including the 1,243 Minnesota communities, who will be participating this year. It’s one night when people across the country celebrate being neighbors.”
