Night Out Against Crime (NOAC) is an important night in many neighborhoods. The traditional ‘lights on’ campaign and symbolic front porch vigils have turned into celebrations across America. Neighbors get together for block parties, cookouts, visits from emergency personnel, rallies and marches, exhibits, and children and youth events. The message is clear: “We want a crime-free neighborhood!”
National Night Out against crime is designed to:
a) Raise awareness about crime and drug prevention
b) Get more people involved in local anticrime efforts
c) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community relationships
d) Let criminals know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back
The Neighborhoods Resource Center recommends taking that one night and making it the starting point for meaningful change in your neighborhood. If you haven’t taken the time to ask your neighbors, take time to survey them and discover what they think is the most important issue. If you already know that, make the night an event to kick off the work you’ll do over the next year to make change happen.
NRC has created some great resources for your neighborhood or community organization, that include:
• Resources for a successful Night Out Against Crime
• Converting your one night into long-term change
• Sample neighborhood survey to find residents’ interests
• Possible crime strategies to try
• Key elements of neighborhood action on crime
• Calendar chart for tracking actions on issues
• Sample information card on reporting crime
For more information on Night Out Against Crime contact The Neighborhoods Resource Center located at 1312 Third Avenue North, Nashville, Tenn. 37208 or telephone 615-782-8212.
