As Houston home builders, we know how important community is. With the recent flooding in Houston, we’ve seen time and time again how communities come together in difficult times. That’s why it’s so important to cultivate and encourage neighborhood gatherings and National Night Out is a great way to do just that. If you’re looking to learn how to plan a National Night Out then follow these simple steps below. National Night Out isn’t until August, so there is plenty of time to plan your neighborhood gathering.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make your neighborhoods safer, and better places to live.
The National Night Out is designed to:
- Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
- Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs;
- Strengthen neighborhood spirit; and
- Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
National Night Out takes place the first Tuesday in August, this year it’s August 2nd. That means there’s more than a month to prepare for your neighborhood event.
How to plan National Night Out
- The first step is to talk to your neighbors, and ask for a few volunteers to help organize the event.
- Choose which kind of event – pot luck, ice cream social, catered, etc.
- Choose a time and place – National Night Out is August 2nd, but you don’t have to have it on that date. A weekend may be more convenient.
- Create a flyer and leave it at the doors of your neighbors.
- Invite local fire station and police to stop by.
- Encourage neighbors to bring chairs, paper plates, cups etc and don’t forget a large trash bin to collect debris at the end of the evening.
Be sure to introduce yourself to everyone. If you have more reserved neighbors help them to get to know other neighbors. Set out a clipboard or iPad, so people can leave their phone numbers and email addresses. Make copies and distribute after the party. Consider creating a Facebook group for your neighborhood, too.
To learn more about National Night Out check out your local police departments page or click here for the National Night Out website.