JUST SAY NNO: National Night Out is TONIGHT, August 7th, 2007

By Jane Ames

It is National Night Out again when neighbors throughout Portland, and across the U.S. and Canada, gather for picnics on their streets or in their yards, sit out on the front porch, and in general visit with their neighbors. Portland typically holds over 150 picnics and parties, some are eight to 10 people, others are attended by hundreds.

Last year over 34 Million people participated in National Night Out events in the US and Canada. So walk about your neighborhood, or in your parks and find some neighbors celebrating NNO.

The idea is two-fold really: First, it is nice to know your neighbors and take time to visit. The second is that it is safer to know your neighbors and take time to visit. Knowing the people in your neighborhood is considered the Number One Crime Prevention tool we have.

Sam and members of our team have turned Neighborhood Night Out into a fun tradition. Each year we choose a quadrant of the City; we set out in the minivan of one team member, and visit as many parties as we can ...and that would like us to visit. This year we are visiting parties in the SE part of Portland. The size and style of parties vary greatly, and it is the variety that is fun. We hope to see you on Tuesday, August 7th. Even more importantly, we hope you see your neighbors on National Night Out.

National Night Out is a unique community event, celebrated in the United States and Canada, which focuses on prevention of crime and drug activity, and is held the first Tuesday of August every year. This year, NNO falls on August 7th.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to:
• Heighten community awareness of crime and drug prevention;
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs;
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
• Send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back
• Promote emergency preparedness awareness

Want more information? Call your Crime Prevention Coordinator.