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National Night Out to take place August 6
National Night Out (NNO) on Tuesday, August 6th, is an essential event across the nation to create better neighborhoods, and also locally.
“We are one of the hundreds of communities throughout the nation that brings first responders and the public together for one evening,” Brazil Police Chief Clint McQueen said recently. “Around 400 adults and children attend our event every year, and it continues to grow each time.”
More than 38 million neighbors are expected to take part in events taking place in communities across the United States. The humble beginnings of NNO started with a community watch program in Pennsylvania in 1970. Hundreds of these local groups existed, but they did not have a universal way of connecting with each other, or with the communities they served.
A few years later, the National Association of Town Watch was founded to provide community watch groups necessary information, resources, and assets. Neighbors and local law enforcement agencies across the nation worked well together for several years.
In August 1984, law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, state and regional crime prevention associations and volunteers across the nation came together to celebrate the first NNO. More than 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states helped create neighborhood camaraderie during block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and more.
“Residents have the chance to come and see the equipment we use every day in our jobs, and also to interact with us by asking about the services we provide,” Brazil Police Chief Clint McQueen said. “Our goal is just to encourage people to come out and spend some time with us.”
In 2008, the Brazil City Police Department organized the first local event in Clay County at the YMCA. Local officials wanted to include all public safety officers and first-responders in the community as a way to encourage the community to “meet and greet” their first responders during a fun event.
“People taking the opportunity to meet with and talk to a first responder during this event is the cornerstone of making our community and our lives safer,” said McQueen. “A conversation during NNO might mean the next time someone experiences trouble they will be able to reach out to us, to trust us for help.”
McQueen said this year’s NNO event will occur at the Forest Park Cow Palace from 5-7 p.m.
Police, fire and medical personnel representing county agencies, as well as other community organizations, will be available to answer questions, share information packets, and put on demonstrations of their equipment and services they provide.
McQueen also confirmed the Forest Park Pool would also be open, at no cost to the public.
There will be free refreshments, including hot dogs and drinks available for those who attend.
Families with school-age children can also pick up various school supplies during the event.
“We tell the organizations attending that school supplies are very important to pass out during the evening,” said McQueen, who added the local first responders enjoy the event as much as the public does. “Learning we are all neighbors, and we are all here to be the best our community can be, and that we are doing that together, well, that is what makes this event great.”