Brownwood/Brown County National Night Out event held October 7th was recently selected as an award winner of the 31st annual National Night Out (NNO) by the National Association of Town Watch.  Organizers and sponsors were recognized for this award during Tuesday’s Brownwood city council meeting.

Brownwood Police Chief Mike Corley explained that the local event was selected for an award for its outstanding participation in the event, placing 14th out of 42 in the 15,000-49,999 population category.

“We have won an award every year.  The first year we won rookie of the year.  This is the 5th year (for local participation) and this is an award for the category of population,” said Ray Tipton, Executive Director Brownwood Chamber of Commerce and an organizer of the event.  “They rank you according to category and we have gone up the list every year.”  Tipton stated that the event could not be done without the sponsors and to have so many citizens participating.

In 2010, Brownwood won a rookie of the year award for their first year of participation.  Since then, the local event has placed 42nd in 2011, 27th in 2012 and 22nd in 2013.

Chief Corley said that he was very proud of the award.  “This year we hit the top 15, we were number 14 (in the 15,000-49,000 population category), we have moved up the list.  That is very, very special being 14th out of the big boys in the competition.  It’s just a big deal.”

Heart of Texas Crime Stoppers President Donna Willhelm stated, “Governor Rick Perry has designated January as Crime Stoppers Month in the State of Texas because he realizes it is such a viable part of the community.”  She thanked law enforcement and supporters of Crime Stoppers who have helped to promote the organization and helping over the years to make it more of a household name.  Heart of Texas Crime Stoppers is the presenting sponsor of the local National Night Out event each year.

In an earlier announcement of the award, Brownwood Assistant Chief of Police James Fuller stated, “We are very pleased, and proud of this recognition.  This award is for the entire community and I would like to thank everyone who helped, volunteered and participated.”

The event is a combined effort each year between Brownwood Police Department, Brown County Sheriff’s Office, Early Police Department, Brown County Lake Patrol and the community of Brown County with the support of Brownwood Fire Department, Allegiance Ambulance and Heart of Texas EMS.

Local participating sponsors for the 2014 National Night Out included Heart of Texas Crime Stoppers, 3M Company, Allegiance Ambulance, Wal-Mart, ATMOS Energy, Heart of Texas EMS, KYOX, Oncor, TexasBank, Weldon Wilson Electric and Thrivent Financial.

All NNO 2014 Award Winners are posted on the National Night Out website.

Pictured above are National Night Out local organizers, sponsors and participants during the recognition at Tuesday’s council meeting.  Left to right are:  Brownwood Chief of Police Mike Corley, Councilman H.D. Jones, Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes, Councilman Draco Miller, Brownwood Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ray Tipton, Atmos Energy Manager of Public Affairs Shelley Burnett, Crime Stoppers President Donna Willhelm, Tim Espinoza of TexasBank, and Crime Stoppers Secretary/Treasurer Elita Witty.