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Neighbors unite against crime on National Night Out
  
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By STEFANIE THOMAS
With all of Hurricane Ike’s downfalls, the storm’s devastation also encouraged neighbors to get together and share their stories, and help one another in many different ways. Likewise, National Night Out Oct. 7, when citizens all across America take a stand against crime, can strengthen those bonds and stave off criminal activity by instilling neighborhood pride and encouraging residents to look out for one another.
One of the ideas National Night Out likes to encourage is the organization of neighborhood watch groups to deter crime.
Kingwood resident Derek Salazar speaks from experience when he says that a neighborhood’s united effort can have an effect on safety on the block. Only last year, Salazar and his neighbors formed a crime watch group in response to several burglaries in their Kingwood Place Village community.
“The crime watch has made a tremendous difference,” Salazar said. “We meet once a month or every other month, installed crime watch signs and have seen attendance at our meetings grow in access of 40 percent. I think people appreciate it. We send out stats and keep everybody in the loop. And we have had less crime problems, on our block at least.”
This year, the National Association of Town Watch scheduled the date for National Night Out for the beginning of October, when comfortable temperatures are more conducive to throwing a pool party, organizing a neighborhood barbecue or simply sitting on the front lawn with the house lights off and the porch light on.
“The Houston Police Department is encouraging all citizens to take advantage of this date and enjoy some pleasant weather while getting out, leaving your lights on and meeting your neighbors,” HPD Public Affairs officials said. “Our strength is in our unity. [It] sends a clear message to criminals that we will not tolerate crime in our neighborhood.”
Police officers and firefighters from most area departments will be available to visit neighborhood events in a show of support.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of National Night Out, an event designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, to generate support for local anti-crime programs, and to strengthen neighborhood spirit as well as police-community partnerships.
National Night Out
WHEN: Oct. 7, 6-9 p.m.
WHERE: check your neighborhood community organization for participation or create your own block party
HUMBLE CONTACT: Residents/organizations within Humble city limits can sign up for a visit from a police officer by contacting Officer D. Meyers of the Humble Police Department at 281-319-9763 or via e-mail at dmeyers@humblepolice.com.
KINGWOOD CONTACT: Residents/organizations within Kingwood can sign up for a visit from a police officer by contacting Officer D. Ulrich of the HPD Kingwood Division at 281-913-4522.
ATASCOCITA CONTACT: Residents/organizations in Atascocita can sign up for a visit from a deputy by contacting Deputy Evans of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at 713-225-3273 or Capt. W. Wieghat of the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office at 281-446-1196.
EAST MONTGOMERY COUNTY CONTACT: Residents/organizations in East County can sign up for a visit from a deputy by contacting the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in New Caney at 281-577-8971.
SPRING CONTACT: Residents/organizations in Spring can sign up for a visit from a deputy by contacting Deputy Evans of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at 713-225-3273 or Capt. S. Whitton of the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office at 281-401-6200.
Sending the message
The National Association of Town Watch suggests the following activities for a successful National Night Out event:
Activities for youth: have a bike parade; make a mural or banner; hold a coloring contest; invite McGruff; play football/baseball/basketball games; offer face painting, chalk art, bubbles, sack races, magic shows, sing-alongs, water balloons, child ID kits, bike safety, jump roping
Activities for all ages: block party, cookout, parade, street dance, scavenger hunt, visits from police officers and firefighters, crime prevention videos, rummage sale, music and DJ, dunk tank, street carnival, self-defense demonstrations, K-9 demonstrations, horseshoes, welcome new neighbors
Contribute to the community: collect for a food bank, beautify a common area, recruit (additional) neighborhood watch leaders and block captains, discuss neighborhood concerns and problems, discuss outdoor lighting in the area
One of the ideas National Night Out likes to encourage is the organization of neighborhood watch groups to deter crime.
Kingwood resident Derek Salazar speaks from experience when he says that a neighborhood’s united effort can have an effect on safety on the block. Only last year, Salazar and his neighbors formed a crime watch group in response to several burglaries in their Kingwood Place Village community.
“The crime watch has made a tremendous difference,” Salazar said. “We meet once a month or every other month, installed crime watch signs and have seen attendance at our meetings grow in access of 40 percent. I think people appreciate it. We send out stats and keep everybody in the loop. And we have had less crime problems, on our block at least.”
This year, the National Association of Town Watch scheduled the date for National Night Out for the beginning of October, when comfortable temperatures are more conducive to throwing a pool party, organizing a neighborhood barbecue or simply sitting on the front lawn with the house lights off and the porch light on.
“The Houston Police Department is encouraging all citizens to take advantage of this date and enjoy some pleasant weather while getting out, leaving your lights on and meeting your neighbors,” HPD Public Affairs officials said. “Our strength is in our unity. [It] sends a clear message to criminals that we will not tolerate crime in our neighborhood.”
Police officers and firefighters from most area departments will be available to visit neighborhood events in a show of support.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of National Night Out, an event designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, to generate support for local anti-crime programs, and to strengthen neighborhood spirit as well as police-community partnerships.
National Night Out
WHEN: Oct. 7, 6-9 p.m.
WHERE: check your neighborhood community organization for participation or create your own block party
HUMBLE CONTACT: Residents/organizations within Humble city limits can sign up for a visit from a police officer by contacting Officer D. Meyers of the Humble Police Department at 281-319-9763 or via e-mail at dmeyers@humblepolice.com.
KINGWOOD CONTACT: Residents/organizations within Kingwood can sign up for a visit from a police officer by contacting Officer D. Ulrich of the HPD Kingwood Division at 281-913-4522.
ATASCOCITA CONTACT: Residents/organizations in Atascocita can sign up for a visit from a deputy by contacting Deputy Evans of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at 713-225-3273 or Capt. W. Wieghat of the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office at 281-446-1196.
EAST MONTGOMERY COUNTY CONTACT: Residents/organizations in East County can sign up for a visit from a deputy by contacting the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office in New Caney at 281-577-8971.
SPRING CONTACT: Residents/organizations in Spring can sign up for a visit from a deputy by contacting Deputy Evans of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office at 713-225-3273 or Capt. S. Whitton of the Precinct 4 Constable’s Office at 281-401-6200.
Sending the message
The National Association of Town Watch suggests the following activities for a successful National Night Out event:
Activities for youth: have a bike parade; make a mural or banner; hold a coloring contest; invite McGruff; play football/baseball/basketball games; offer face painting, chalk art, bubbles, sack races, magic shows, sing-alongs, water balloons, child ID kits, bike safety, jump roping
Activities for all ages: block party, cookout, parade, street dance, scavenger hunt, visits from police officers and firefighters, crime prevention videos, rummage sale, music and DJ, dunk tank, street carnival, self-defense demonstrations, K-9 demonstrations, horseshoes, welcome new neighbors
Contribute to the community: collect for a food bank, beautify a common area, recruit (additional) neighborhood watch leaders and block captains, discuss neighborhood concerns and problems, discuss outdoor lighting in the area
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