If youre looking for a way to make a difference in your community heres a suggestion: plan a National Night Out event in your neighborhood.
National Night Out is an annual crime prevention program that encourages citizens and police officers to meet and discuss strategies that keep communities safe.
The event takes place once a year on the first Tuesday during the month of August and is usually held in the evening hours around 6 p.m.
This year National Night Out will be observed on August 6, 2002 with a kick-off party planned for Friday, August 2, 2002 at Hermann Park at the Miller Outdoor Theatre from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Many communities are actively involved in crime reduction programs all year long and National Night Out gives them the opportunity to show off their success and recruit more crime fighting eyes and ears to locate potential problems. Houston has won national recognition for participation in past National Night Out events.
Planning a National Night Out event is as easy as establishing a core group on your block or in your neighborhood. Plan small if this is your first time. Ask a few families on the block to participate and have them invite other neighbors. Decide what everyones duties will be like who will be in charge of getting balloons or providing drinks. Encourage local area grocery stores and businesses to participate.
Other ideas for a National Night Out activity include a pot luck dinner, parades, block parties, rallies, or have a neighbor pull their barbecue pit on the front lawn and grill a few burgers and hotdogs. Contact your local area law enforcement agency such as Houston Police, Harris County Sheriffs Department, Metro Police, HISD Police or the constable office in your area to get more details or call HPD Community Services Division at 713-308-3200. National Night Out information can also be obtained on the Internet at www.houstonpolicedepartment.com
