National Night Out draws big crowd

By John Earp

Last Tuesday evening at Jal Lake Park, Jal Police Department, in conjunction with Jal EMS/Fire, Lea County Sherriff’s Department, the Red Cross, Target Hospitality, and several other service organizations provided a community outreach event for the people of Jal. An estimated crowd of close to 500 came out to enjoy time with friends, music, and free food and drinks including burgers, barbeque chicken, and ice cream. The weather was as near perfect as could be, in the upper 70s with just a light breeze. Lots of kids played on the playground equipment, with some junior high boys playing a game of touch football, while adults visited with neighbors while various items were raffled off by the police department. Chief Valeriano said he was really pleased to see the great turnout for the event.

According to the organization’s website, “National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August (Texas and select areas celebrate on the first Tuesday in October). Neighborhoods 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.

National Night Out was introduced 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.”