The Rebuilding of Local Communities!

ANSWERING the KENNEDYS CALL

Where does the rebuilding of local communities that creates a sense of healthy community itself really happen? At the local level, whether it be in neighborhoods, towns, or cities. It is everywhere residents find a reason to band together.

And it is an answer to the fragmentation of local communities caused by the loss of so many blue collar jobs due to the Digital Revolution and Globalization of the workforce that has internationalized commerce so that corporations ignore national borders in their search for cheaper labor and new markets.

This has meant that towns, cities and states have had to look inward to heal their broken communities in order to provide citizens with the necessary means to grow and prosper. National Night Out is one such community-building effort that has become a nation-wide movement.

It is an annual community-building campaign that promotes public safety-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and public safety and fosters that sense of community.

It is“… a chance to bring neighborhoods together with the men and women who protect them. The safety of our communities depends on both law enforcement and the neighbors they serve. National Night Out enhances that cooperation,” says Vice President Joe Biden.

Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities for one night each year.

What is its history? National Night Out has been celebrated since 1984 and is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch in the United States and Canada. NATW introduced National Night Out in August of 1984 through an already established network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, state and regional crime prevention associations and volunteers across the nation. The first annual National Night Out involved 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states. However, the event soon grew to a celebration beyond just front porch vigils.

Neighborhoods across the nation began to host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more. Today, 38 million neighbors in 16 thousand communities across the nation take part in National Night Out.

My home town of Redwood City, California is one such city participating in National Night Out. Here are some of the programs designed to foster a sense of belonging to a viable community and city:

“National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes public safety-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and public safety and fosters Redwood City's sense of community."

Join your Redwood City neighborhood this year on August 7 to celebrate National Night Out!
Centennial - Mezes Park, 6-8 p.m.
Eagle Hill - Block Party at Quartz and St. Francis St., 5-8 p.m.
Friendly Acres - Barbeque at Andrew Spinas Park, 6-8 p.m. Fun and games for children and families.
Redwood Shores/Sandpiper Lagoon HOA - Block Party at Avocet Dr. and Waterside Circle from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Redwood City Police and Fire departments will attend. Light food and drinks will be provided. Please park in guest parking only or walk to the area.
Redwood Village - Join your neighbors for food, ice cream, classic cars, and a jumper on Flynn St. (off Greenwood), from 6-8 p.m.
Roosevelt - Gather at the Sheltered BBQ Area at Red Morton Park (by the Bocce Ball Court, behind the Community Activities Building) from 6 - 8 p.m. Come tie-dye t-shirts and participate in a dessert contest. 
Woodside Plaza - Gather at Maddux Park from 5 - 8 p.m. for corn hole, ladder golf, and a bake-off competition. Redwood City Police and Fire departments will attend with cars and trucks. RCPD will provide fingerprinting kits. Kona Hawaiian Ice Truck will stop by from 6 - 7 p.m. At 8 p.m. Maddux movie night will follow with a showing of The Princess Bride.
Go here to learn more.

What could be more enjoyable on a summer evening that coming together with others to celebrate your own community’s well-being.

Harlan Green © 2018

Follow Harlan Green on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HarlanGreen