Nothing Says Community Like National Night Out in Victoria

What does National Night Out mean to you?

For Victorians, like many communities in the United States, National Night is an important time to reconnect with neighbors and with our local law enforcement.

On October 6th Victoria will be coming together for a Night IN on National Night Out.

Introduced in 1984, National Night Out is, according to its official website, "An annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community."

How successful has it been? Here is something to think about. The first National Night Out involved 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states. It was THAT well received even in its inaugural year.

Recently Townsquare Media partnered with area businesses like Compadres Design, nonprofits like the YMCA, and the Victoria Police Department to remind Victoria that National Night Out is about community even if we have to have a National Night IN this year.

So how can you become involved in National Night IN? Well, to get started, you might consider reaching out to your neighbors to invite them outside in your neighborhood to help you host a socially distant BLOCK PARTY.

Many neighborhoods pool their resources together to cook, play music, organize games and activities for the kids, and invite the VPD to come by to help them celebrate.

The key here is community so it's up to you how to spend National Night IN, but what about a neighborhood ZOOM call?

The Victoria Police Department offers this message to the community, "On Tuesday, October 6, 2020 between 6 pm and 9 pm, residents of Victoria are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors. Simply knowing your neighbors is one of the most effective methods to prevent crime. This year, instead of attending block parties, first responders will be providing a lighted emergency vehicle parade to those neighborhoods who have registered with the Police Department. At this point, registration is closed, but they will be providing a map of the parade route soon.

Organizations and community-oriented businesses who wish to participate in this awesome event or have any questions, contact the Victoria Police Department Community Engagement Unit at 361-485-3808.

However you celebrate National Night Out, we say thank you to our community, those community members and businesses that participated in the "community sign" and to our local law enforcement for all they do to keep our communities safe.

Don't forget to peruse the Victoria Police Department Facebook page here as they have great weekly posts like " Traffic Tips" and information on National Night In too!