Why not create a National Night Out Event in Your Neighborhood on August 3? National Night Out was originally created to combat drug and crime prevention and to foster better citizen/police relationships.
All those things are still true - and still the mission of the organization - but in our neighborhood (Del Ray in Alexandria, VA) it has developed into a much anticipated community event.
The entire block takes part - from getting city permits to block off the street, to pitching tents against the heat, pulling out coolers and cookers, setting up tables and chairs and, perhaps the most important part, contributing to a giant pot luck dinner.
In fact, our block is so well known for it's good food - particularly the fried fish - that we routinely get visits from the mayor, the mounted police, the entire squadron of motorcycle police, the special forces unit, the sheriff, etc. etc.
It's a great opportunity to meet individual members of the force and to thank them for all they do.
In turn, the kids pat the horses, sit on the motorcycles and climb all over the amored vehicles.
It's not hard to get started and the National Night Out site has lots of great ideas. If you're new to your area it's also just the best way to meet your neighbors. Not bad for this real estate agent either!
For more on what a National Night Out Event can look like, here are some stories from past years:
National Night Out in Alexandria, VA
National Night Out Is An Annual Gathering for Neighbors on East Howell Avenue in Del Ray
Would it surprise you that folks from surrounding blocks tend to migrate our way?
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