Brown County residents came together Tuesday, October 6th to celebrate National Night Out, an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer and better places to live. Approximately 50 parties were held across Brown County, an increase over last year’s event.
Neighborhoods across the county hosted block parties with cookouts, games, concerts and visits from emergency personnel and city officials. A canned tuna drive was held at each party to benefit the local food pantry at Good Samaritan Ministries. The goal for the tuna drive was 3000; however Brown County citizens and grocery stores surpassed that goal with more than 3400 cans being donated.
Brownwood Police Department, Early Police Department, Bangs Police Department, Brown County Sheriff’s Office, Brownwood Fire Department, Early Volunteer Fire Department, Bangs Volunteer Fire Department, Fire Department, May Volunteer Fire Department and Allegiance Ambulance traveled throughout the county meeting residents and showing children their emergency equipment and vehicles.
An award will be presented to the party that collected the most cans of tuna. Awards will also be given to the Best Overall Party, Best New Party and the Best Party Food. Each block party captain registered to host a party will also be entered into a drawing to win a flat screen TV which will be given away after National Night Out.
National Night Out is designed to strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. Law enforcement officials are encouraging residents to use the event to not only to get to know their neighbors better, but in some cases, to plant the seeds for a neighborhood watch program.
Local participating sponsors for the 2015 National Night Out include Heart of Texas Crime Stoppers, 3M Company, Allegiance Ambulance, Wal-Mart, ATMOS Energy, Oncor, TexasBank, Weldon Wilson Electric and Heartland Mall.
Pictured above Brownwood resident Susan King (left) visits with Brownwood City Manager Emily Crawford (center) and Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes (right). Below is a photo from a block party on Allen Drive in Early.
