National Night Out (also known as Night to Unite) is an annual national event that builds and fosters community bonds between citizens, businesses, and public safety organizations. This annual celebration brings together area citizens and public safety officials to promote safer communities and address safety concerns.
This year’s National Night Out was Tuesday of this week.
The evening weather around Becker and Big Lake was a little “iffy” for some as light rain and drizzle invaded the area. However, no storms or severe weather rolled in so all activities commenced around the 5 p.m. mark.
Some Night to Unite goals were to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support and participation in crime prevention and community policing programs, get to know one’s neighbors and build relationships between the citizens and the local police and fire departments.
National Night Out is designed to enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. It is also an opportunity to rekindle the spirit of past Neighborhood Watch programs or to kick-start a new program with the energy from the evening. Furthermore, the event provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive and pragmatic circumstances.
Millions of people around the country take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August (Texas and select areas celebrate on the first Tuesday in October). Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more.
One hundred and eighty-eight cities in the State of Minnesota participate in NNO, including Becker, Big Lake, Annandale, Elk River, Buffalo, Monticello, South Haven, St. Cloud, Waite Park and Otsego, to name a few areas in Central Minnesota.
The first annual National Night Out in 1984 involved 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states. It is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch in the United States.
