National Night Out with Fort Worth police is Oct. 7. Here’s how you can join in
Fort Worth police announced that Texas National Night Out, an annual campaign to strengthen police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie, will be held on Oct. 7 this year.
“National Night Out is more than just a block party,” Interim Fort Worth Police Chief Robert Alldredge said during a news conference on Thursday. “It’s a powerful opportunity to strengthen relationships with neighbors and law enforcement officers that serve and protect them daily.”
Alldredge said the event is a special night when first responders get to spend time with residents to get to know them in a positive atmosphere.
“Let’s not forget knowing your neighbor is one of the most effective crime prevention tools that we have,” Alldredge said.
Residents can fill out this online form no later than Sept. 30 at 5 p.m. to register their event.
Fort Worth has always been a strong partner in community policing and crime prevention efforts, Ida Schoener, secretary of the Metro Police Department of Texas Crime Prevention Association, said during the press conference.
“Night Out is not just an event, it is a movement, a symbol of unity, trust and the belief that safer communities are built through partnerships between citizens and law enforcement,” Schoener said. “The Texas Crime Prevention Association is proud to stand alongside each of you as we continue this tradition of excellence”
Kristi Hosea, Texas National Night Out coordinator said that Night Out is traditionally the first Tuesday in August across the United States. But as it gets hot in Texas in August, the state was granted the opportunity 17 years ago to hold the event in October.
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National Night Out is in its 42nd year, created in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch. This year, Texas has over 12,184 events registered, Hosea said.
Neighborhood block parties can be as elaborate as giant bubble machines and bounce houses or as simple as cookouts on the front lawn with yard games or an ice cream social at your senior center, Hosea said.
“National Night Out is all about building relationships for the safer community,” Hosea said.
“We do this because we want to support our first responders in their roles to promote public safety in every single community across the state of Texas,” Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker said. “The most important thing is we’re promoting public safety in a way that is pro-police and pro-community at the exact same time.”