National Night Out

National Night Out https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/bja/180775.pdf has been occurring for more than 30 years, I think.  I remember when Tonya was spending the summer with Ken and I one year, and she wanted to be sure we kept the front porch light on for National Night Out.  We were in the house on 91st Street, so that was between 1984 and 1988. The article says 1985 was the first year.

Tonight, Lubbock had several neighborhood National Night Out Celebrations, and one was in my neighborhood at Leftwich Park, which is my neighborhood.

http://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/local-news/lubbock-neighborhoods-invited-to-participate-in-national-night-out-on-tuesday-august-2.  It was sponsored by Redeemer Church http://redeemerlubbock.org/, YWCA Sun and Fun Club http://www.ywcalubbock.org/, the Lubbock Police Department http://www.mylubbock.us/departmental-websites/departments/police-department/home and the Lubbock United Neighborhood Association http://www.lubbockunitedneighborhoodassoc.elisting.us/.

I went to the park, and stood in line for dinner, a brisket sandwich or hot dog, watermelon, chips, water, cookies.  Sides included snow cones, cotton candy and popcorn. It was all free. The speakers were difficult to hear, but were from the Police Department and the YWCA. The music was canned. There were bounce houses for children, and free admission to the YWCA.  Whoever set up the park knew what they were doing because much of the area took advantage of the large shade trees in the park.  There was a police truck, an unmarked police car, a Semi truck kids could climb into the cab, a police helicopter periodically circling overhead, and a firetruck for the kids to look at (that was very popular.)  The police did children's ID kits (fingerprints) http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2014-05-23/lubbock-police-providing-children-id-kits-national-missing-childrens-day#.V6FteI-cFxI.

It was a nice evening. I spoke to some folks I knew. I talked to every police officer and fireman I could approach, thanking them for their service. I toured the YWCA facility that was free and open to the public, which was not the case for their grand opening in May, when admission was charged. (I suspect this was a good will gesture to the community, because their business has caused bad traffic congestion in the neighborhood.  I have not complained, because I think the benefit of the facility probably outweighs the traffic congestion, but I am still not happy about it.)

The Caprock Neighborhood used to have a neighborhood association and community garden.  I know. I helped to develop it.  That was 20 years ago.  I left the neighborhood after a while, and the organization could not sustain.  I regret that.  But I was pleased to see the activity tonight.