are being invited to join forces with thousands of communities statewide for the "27th Annual National Night Out" (NNO) crime and drug prevention event. National Night Out was held on Tuesday, August 3rd nationwide, but Texans will celebrate NNO in October due to the cooler temperatures compared to August.
National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and co-sponsored locally by the Kerrville Police Department and Kerr County Sheriff's Office, will involve over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, over 37 million people are expected to participate in 'America's Night Out Against Crime'. NNO 2010 is being supported in part by TARGET, the national corporate sponsor.
National Night Out is designed to: (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts; (3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and (4) Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
From 6 to 10 p.m. on October 5th, residents in neighborhoods throughout Kerr County and across the state are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police. Many neighborhoods throughout Kerrville and Kerr County will be hosting a variety of special events such as block parties, cookouts, parades, visits from law enforcement, flashlight walks, contests, youth activities and anticrime rallies.
National Project Coordinator Matt Peskin said, "This is a night for America to stand together to promote awareness, safety, and neighborhood unity. National Night Out showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement in our fight to build a safer nation. On October 5th, we invite neighborhoods statewide to join us in Giving Crime & Drugs A Going Away Party."
Residents, block clubs, local businesses, community groups, homeowners associations, and neighborhood watch groups, etc. are encouraged to call and sign up with the Kerrville Police Department's Community Services Officer Paul Gonzales at 830-792-2745, if you live inside the city limits. If you live outside the city limits, call the Kerr County Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention Deputy Pam Hicks at 830-896-1216.