When I walk home from the Metro I walk through a little park next to the library and fitness center. I have come to view this as a place that brings the community together as it has been a happening place this summer. When we first got here we discovered there is a free open air family movie once a month. A few weeks ago they had the “Del Ray Music Festival”, which was a whole Saturday of live bands. On Tuesday I noticed them setting up for another event, as it happens it was ‘National Night Out’.
I had never heard of this, but I did some research today and found out it happens all over the country. It was started in the mid-80’s by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), a “nonprofit crime prevention organization… which works in cooperation with thousands of crime watch groups and law enforcement agencies”. The purpose is to:
- Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
- Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
- Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
- Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
It sounds like there are about 12,000 communities in all 50 states that participate. They all have the event on the same evening. If you haven’t heard of it you can organize one for you community in 2010. (more)
So, for our walk Tuesday we went down and checked it out. It was basically like a huge block party sponsored by local businesses and law enforcement. They had a fire truck out for all the kids to play in, a local band playing for the crowd, and free food:) We got a little bite to eat and sat and listened to the band for a song or two. Then they took a break and had the ‘Adult’ water balloon tossing contest. Sharon and I made it to 3rd place and won $50.00 worth of coupons to some of the local shops! We are excited to use them for dates our last few weeks before we go. One was also to a baby store.
Hurray for community events.
