Residents across Brown County held block parties to participate in the area’s second National Night Out event on Tuesday. Neighborhoods held cookouts, pot-lucks, games, and other activities to help heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Brownwood Police Chief Mike Corley told officers today that one of his goals is to promote neighborhood watch programs.
“This is a good time to talk about neighborhood watch,” Corley said. “Please remind them that this is something that we really want them to do.”
Corley also encouraged officers to remind residents about simple safety tips to protect their property from theft.
“We need to talk to citizens about car burglaries,” Corley said. “Take valuables out of your cars, lock your cars up, and please take the keys. A couple of easy things you can remind people about.”
City officials, law enforcement officers, fire departments, and EMS traveled to the block parties around the county. Organizers of this year’s National Night Out event said that well over 50 parties took place on Tuesday night after a few last minute cancellations. Parties were held in back yards, streets, parks, apartments, and driveways.
Party-goers particularly enjoyed visits from the Brownwood Fire Department’s arson dog Nika while a canine of another sort, McGruff the Crime Dog, also captivated kids and adults.
National Night Out helped neighbors get to know each other better and helped strengthen relationships between residents and local law enforcement.
Local participating sponsors for the 2011 National Night Out include Heart of Texas Crime Stoppers, WT Harris Company, ATMOS Energy, Oncor Electric Delivery, Southside Church, TexasBank, and Waldrop Construction.
Pictured above is McGruff the Crime Dog visiting a block party on Tuesday night in Brownwood.
CLICK HERE for a Facebook photo gallery of National Night Out parties in Brownwood and Early.