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Residents across the Metrocrest will have a chance to meet the first responders who serve their neighborhoods, spend some time with their neighbors and, depending on where they live, enjoy everything from food and music to bounce houses and emergency vehicle demonstrations during National Night Out on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
National Night Out began in 1984 as a nationwide crime-prevention effort built around a fairly simple idea: Turn on the porch light, go outside and get to know the people who live nearby.
The first event drew about 2.5 million people in 400 communities across 23 states. More than four decades later, the National Association of Town Watch describes National Night Out as a community-building campaign designed to strengthen relationships between residents and law enforcement and encourage stronger neighborhoods. Texas is among the states that celebrate on the first Tuesday in October rather than the traditional August date.
Addison, Carrollton and Farmers Branch will all participate this year, although each community is taking a slightly different approach.
Addison will bring its celebration together at Les Lacs Park, 3901 Beltway Drive, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The free community event will include Addison first responders and town staff, along with food, a DJ, a bounce house and other family activities. The town describes the evening as an opportunity for residents to meet both their neighbors and the employees and first responders who serve the community.
Carrollton is keeping National Night Out in the neighborhoods.
Neighborhood and homeowners associations are encouraged to hold their own gatherings Tuesday evening. Carrollton Police, Carrollton Fire Rescue and the Office of Emergency Management plan to visit participating neighborhood events. The city's National Night Out program traditionally runs from 6 to 8 p.m. Let the city know if you're hosting a party by filling out the form here.
The neighborhood-based format is close to the original spirit of National Night Out, which began with residents gathering outside their homes and turning on their porch lights as a visible sign of neighborhood involvement.
Farmers Branch is changing things up this year by adding a centralized National Night Out celebration at City Hall while continuing to encourage neighborhood gatherings.
The City Hall event will run from 5 to 9 p.m. and feature food trucks, giveaways, touch-a-truck vehicles and family activities, along with opportunities to meet city staff and public safety personnel. The Farmers Branch Fire Department will conduct an extrication demonstration at 6 p.m., followed by a clown show at 7 p.m.
Residents who prefer the traditional neighborhood version can do that, too. Farmers Branch Police are encouraging residents to gather outside with their neighbors and leave their lights on. Public safety teams will visit neighborhood events throughout the evening. Neighborhood gatherings can be registered with the Police Department at 972-919-9135, and streets can be closed for free by filling out the form here.
Whether residents spend the evening at a citywide event or pull a few lawn chairs into a driveway, the idea behind National Night Out remains largely unchanged from 1984: Neighbors who know one another and know the people who serve their community can help build stronger neighborhoods.
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