National Night Out set for Aug. 5: Area civic clubs plan activities

Several local civic clubs are planning activities in conjunction with the National Night Out to be held Tuesday, August 5 this year.

The High Meadows North Civic Association will host a get-together at J.F.K. at Lauder Road in a vacant lot. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. they will hold a parade through the neighborhood with fire and ambulance services as well as the Sheriff’s Department. The Key map location for this event is 414B.

Bellmar Civic Club will hold their event at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 7822 Northline Drive. Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. for their subdivision. The Key map location for this event os 413S.

Green Forest Civic Association will participate in National Night Out with an event in the esplanade of Vickery Drive at Sandydale. They will begin at 6 p.m. and will have a parade which will begin later. Parade participants include residents on bicycles, volunteer fire and ambulatory services as well as the Sheriff’s Department. The Key map location for this event os 414G.

Timber Point Apartments located at the 5900 block of Greens Road will have their festivities at the clubhouse for apartment residents. They will begin at 5 p.m. The Key map location for this event os 375N.

Timber Ridge Apartments will host their event at the clubhouse located at 5350 Aeropark for the apartment residents. They will begin at 6 p.m. The Key map location for this event os 374U.

National Night Out was founded in 1983, by Matt Peskin in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, and sponsored by The National Association of Town Watch (NATW).

It has since grown to become a national event observed in all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canada, and military bases around the world. NATW is a member of the Crime Prevention Coalition and the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC).

National Night Out is designed to: (1) heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs; (3) strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community relations, and (4) send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and are fighting back.

Along with the traditional display of front porch outdoor lights and front porch outdoor vigils, cities, towns, and neighborhoods celebrate National Night Out with a variety of events and activities such as: block parties, cookouts, parades, flashlight walks, contests, youth programs and visits from local police.

The city of Houston first participated in National Night Out in 1985. In 1988, Houston/Harris County was nationally awarded the #1 area for “Best Participation.”

In 1994, there were over 250,000 participants hosting over 2,500 block parties. In 1995, Houston/Harris County received the National Award for Outstanding Participation.

In 1997, the National Night Out Award was presented to the State of Texas for having over one million participants that year. In 1998, Houston/Harris County received the National Award for Outstanding Participation. In 1999, Houston/Harris County received the “S. C. Johnson National Night Out 1999 Award” for being the top ranked city with a population of 250,000 or more people. In 2000, Houston/Harris County received recognition for being the third nationally ranked city with a population of 250,000 or more people. In 2001, Houston/Harris County was recognized for “Outstanding Participation” and awarded second place with a population of 300,000 or more people. In 2002, Houston/Harris County ranked 6th nationwide.