National Night Out

I was excited to see last week a flyer for my neighborhood's version of National Night Out.   This program is designed to develop community relationships and partner the community with local law enforcement to reduce and/or minimize crime.  In the case of my neighborhood, it takes the form of a neighborhood cookout (can you say Brats?) with activities for the kids and, I'm sure, a visit from the local police.

This is a natural extension of the Neighborhood Watch program, and serves to strengthen that proven institution.  No question in my mind that it makes sense for neighbors to be watching out for neighbors, for the community to be protecting itself first, then depending upon law enforcement to step in as needed.  But there is a deeper benefit from these types of programs as well.

We've been living in our neighborhood for some time now and I can honestly say that we know probably one neighbor by name.  We've spoken with several others, and probably been introduced to a dozen at one time or another, but honestly the contact simply isn't consistent enough to support any type of ongoing dialog.  And yet as we consider global environmental change and the likely end of cheap energy it is becoming more and more important that we get to know our neighbors -- if for no other reason than because we will likely be spending more time around them as it becomes more expense to fill up our gas tanks.

I'm looking forward to National Night Out this evening, to the simple grilled foods, to the kids running around like chickens with their heads cut off.  I'm looking forward to meeting some neighbors, remembering some names, even making some friends that live in my own neighborhood.  Who knows, maybe it will spark the opportunity to walk over some other time, or invite someone to walk over to our little homestead.  Regardless, our community will be a bit more secure, and certainly more convivial, for the effort.