Tuesday night, 39 neighborhoods across Brown County held cookouts, pot luck dinners, and block parties to celebrate the area’s first National Night Out. Law enforcement agencies, firefighters, and emergency responders visited with citizens at their neighborhood gatherings and encouraged them to be proactive against crime.
National Night Out is a crime awareness and prevention event where participants are asked to hold simple neighborhood gatherings, get to know neighbors, and help develop an awareness of what is happening in their neighborhood. Brownwood Police Chief Mike Corley said that most crimes in the area are thefts from homes and cars that are left unsecured.
“Most things we see are just a shame and could have been prevented,” stated Corley. “Hopefully, we’ll get some crime watches started and can work as a team.”
Corley explained that law enforcement agencies working alone cannot prevent all crimes, but a difference can be made with the help of citizens.
Law enforcement officials along with firefighters and EMS broke up into groups with city officials and media to visit block parties. BrownwoodNews.com was able to ride along with Chief Corley, Mayor Stephen Haynes, and City Manager Bobby Rountree to visit several of the gatherings. The chief’s group estimated that they saw over 300 people in attendance at just the six parties they visited. Many of the gatherings were held in a come and go fashion so exact numbers will be difficult to determine.
Chief Corley said that he was very pleased with the results of National Night Out.
“I am ready to proclaim tonight a success, make that a huge success.” Corley stated “Tonight was about coming together as a community and the community embraced it.”
That sentiment was echoed by Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes.
“I really noticed people enjoying themselves,” Haynes said.
Chief Corley gave credit to Officer Chandra Means for organizing and coordinating with block captains to get parties arranged. Block captains arranged great parties and many neighbors pitched in by bringing desserts, chips and much more. The first annual National Night Out in Brown County was truly a success due to cooperation of neighbors.
“Anytime you start an event, the first year it is going to take a little time for everyone to figure out what the event is and where you go,” Mayor Haynes said. “Hopefully, some of the same hosts will volunteer next year so that people can look forward to a similar event next year.”
Many thanks go to block captains and their volunteers for the hard work that made the event a success.
CLICK HERE for a photo gallery on Facebook with over 70 photos from several block parties around the county.
Top Photo: Police Chief Mike Corley talks to a gathering on Lori Lane during their National Night Out block party.
Thanks to the registered block captains:
- Lisa Jaso
- Martha Faetche
- Starleen Cline
- Dale Wheelis
- Jessica Arellano
- Steve Roberts
- Emily Crawford
- Kevin Pate
- Kay Giles
- Ray Tipton
- Beth Haffner
- Carl McMillan
- Laura Terhune
- Don Benedict
- Lyndon and Judy Brownlee
- Roberta Stegemoller
- Debbie Morelock
- Tom Washburn & Mary Irving
- Gregg Rice
- Becky & H.D. Jones
- Eric McNeece
- Dot Tullar
- Ed McMillian
- Mike Hall
- Nancy Byler
- Mary Aaron
- Kay Miller
- Brownwood Apartments Phase I & II
- Wildwood Trails & Market Place
- Oakridge Manor
- Chatfield Assisted Living
- Kyndall Ross
- James Campbell
- Patta Blake
- Lynn Humeniuk & Kay Martinez
- Sandra Trent
- Jaime Jones
- Brownwood Manor
- Bennie Snapp
- Bobby Strickland
- Shanda Mosley
- Todd Tabor
