National Night Out: Building Police and Community

Home , I Finally Found Someone, Night Out (The Office)

U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance

Bulletin From the Field May 2000 ractitioner Onsite Visits, Case Histories, and State and Local Innovations From the erspectives Bureau of Justice Assistance Nancy E. Gist, Director

National Night Out was established in 1984 National Night Out: Building with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), U.S. Department of Police and Community Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a Partnerships To Prevent Crime nationwide organization dedicated to the development, maintenance, and protection By Rebecca Morris of community-based, law enforcement- affiliated crime prevention activities. National Night Out was developed as a n a Boston street corner where firebrands and revolutionaries crime prevention program that emphasizes gathered more than two centuries ago, Chris Hayes and his little building a partnership between the police band of two stood on an August night in 1985, ready to shake and the community. Community involve- O ment in crime prevention is generated things up again. through a multitude of local events, such as block parties, cookouts, parades, con- The occasion was National tests, youth activities, and seminars. Night Out (NNO). A young man in Philadelphia named With continued funding from BJA, participation in National Night Out crime pre- Matt Peskin recently had vention activities has increased from 2.5 launched this new crime million people in 400 communities in 1984 prevention program as a way to more than 32 million people in 9,530 for people to begin taking communities in 1999. Project 365, which helps communities target specific problems back their neighborhoods by over the course of the year, was also gathering in the streets one developed through BJA funding. summer night each year, National Night Out block party in the Cedar Grove turning on their house and National Night Out’s objectives include neighborhood in The Woodlands, Texas (see page 10). refining the nationwide crime prevention porch lights, and celebrating campaign, documenting successful crime their power to control events in the community. The idea was catching on prevention strategies, expanding Project in cities across the country. 365, disseminating information about successful community-based strategies, Hayes was an early convert. “I knew that if we all just stood on our own providing technical assistance on crime doorsteps, there wouldn’t be any crime,” he remembered. “I knew that, prevention program development, and developing the National Night Out Web and I thought, ‘I’ve got to say that.’ ” site. With continued support from BJA, National Night Out is making communities So Hayes, newly appointed as the sole staff member of the Boston Police across the nation safer places to live. Department’s crime watch unit, took his boss and the head of a neighborhood advocacy group down to Tremont and Park Streets at the edge of the Bulletin From the Field: Practitioner Perspectives

Boston Public Garden. As hundreds rallied in protest. Speaker after time—he was the first police officer milled around the “T” subway speaker appealed to the crowd: with whom many had ever had entrance, picnicked in the green, or Someone must have seen what hap- a conversation. just hung out, Hayes took out a procla- pened; people don’t get shot in broad mation and read it to the masses: The daylight without someone knowing In Vicksburg, Mississippi, Sgt. good people of Boston were taking who did it. By nightfall someone Douglas Arp continued his tradition back their neighborhoods on this came forward, and the police arrested of hosting one of the biggest and National Night Out. two young men. longest National Night Out parties. NNO in this community lasts for 7 “Hardly anybody even looked up,” he In most communities, though, the days in August. Festivities have recollected. Fourteen years later, on NNO mood was festive. There were taken place at the top of a billboard August 3, 1999, more than 25,000 award dinners and parades and huge and inside an air-conditioned, steam- people in Boston rallied, held block kickoff events. Mayors issued cleaned trash dumpster—wherever parties, and celebrated one of the declarations, and police commission- Arp can draw the public’s attention to largest and most successful crime ers praised community efforts. At the the event. One year he literally holed prevention programs in the country. heart of National Night Out were up in a hole in the ground, complete gatherings of neighbors, opportunities with bed, chair, and fan. This year, he Such growth has occurred nationwide. for residents to meet one another sat in a wrecked car, waving to the In 1999, the 16th National Night Out, and local beat officers in a friendly more than 1,160 passers-by and more than 32 million people in 9,530 environment. welcoming more than 560 visitors, communities gathered in parks and most of them bearing food. In a town streets and front yards, celebrating In Lodi, California, two newcomers to of just 25,000, Arp’s antics send a yearlong partnerships between police Bayberry Street—Johnny and Stacey message about crime prevention and communities that have helped Moreno—agreed to host a National directly to nearly 10 percent of the reduce crime. In many cities, Night Out block party so they could population and to many more through between 10 and 15 percent of the meet their neighbors. It was the first media coverage from nearby Jackson. population, sometimes more, partici- time this block had celebrated. When pated in National Night Out in some the party started, few people knew Many of these NNO events and gath- way—as organizers or donors, cooks each other. Two hours later, Johnny erings appear to be deceptively sim- or art contest judges, exhibit builders Moreno knew Howard, Mark and ple. People get together and share or block captains, not to mention the Susan, Darrell and Cathy, Paul, Bill, food and drink, a few conversations, people in charge of supplying ice and George. He knew which houses and a little information about the cream sprinkles. were theirs, how long they had been neighborhood or the town. To an out- in the neighborhood, and how they sider, many of these celebrations are In some locations there were serious liked to spend their time. What’s indistinguishable from any other bar- reminders of what is at stake. In most important, he knew he could becue or street party, except for the Chicago, 2 days after a young girl was call them for help if he needed some- National Night Out banners and hit by a stray bullet while purchasing one, say, to check on his house while posters. But it is the year-round effort candy from a corner store, more than his family was out of town. All of of building neighborhood organiza- 3,000 NNO participants marched and them met Det. Brian Scott for the first tions and partnerships with police—

This series is dedicated to the exploration of vital issues in criminal justice program development and management. Case studies highlight the work of progressive, innovative people and programs in state and local criminal justice systems. Although a case study may include a detailed description of the operational aspects of a program, it is not a scientific program evaluation. Rather, it is a document designed to explore the interaction of factors such as collaboration, politics, resources, culture, and others that play a part in successful public management.

2 National Night Out the work of organizing National Night extensive acquain- Out events—that gives this night its tance networks, special meaning. and are willing to get involved, “This is not ‘Kiss a Cop Day’ or there’s a reduction something like that,” said Peskin, in violent crime.”2 founder of National Night Out and executive director of the National National Night Out Association of Town Watch (NATW), was founded in which runs the program. “It’s a pro- 1984 with $15,000 gram that really makes a difference. from the National It’s a lot of fun to put together, it Crime Prevention reaches deep into neighborhood- and Council’s grant community-building, and it works.” from the Bureau of Matt Peskin, founder of National Night Out and executive director of the National Association of Town Watch. Justice Assistance When Peskin started National Night (BJA); since then funding for the National Night Out evolved in part Out, he hoped simply to develop a event has increased steadily. because a writer was running out of higher profile for the community subjects to write about. In 1981, crime watch activities that he knew Senator Arlen Specter (R–PA) has Peskin was responsible for his neigh- were helping to deter crime. The pro- been the primary advocate of NNO borhood crime watch group’s newslet- gram has become a good example of funding for many years. “National ter. When he contacted other groups the social capital-building that social Night Out represents an imaginative for story ideas, he noticed that every scientists have identified as important and effective approach to crime pre- group was having a problem sustain- for reducing crime. vention,” said spokesperson Charles ing volunteer interest. He suggested Robbins. “[Senator Specter] has sup- they start an association to coordinate The authors of a 1995 study of ported it and expects to support it in their activities and share information. Chicago neighborhoods, Neigh- the future.” borhood Collective Efficacy: Does It The National Association of Town Help Reduce Violence?, published In a community impact assessment Watch was born, and the idea spread in the journal Science and by the of the program conducted in 1998, to other cities. Soon, Peskin was National Institute of Justice, found nearly 90 percent of law enforcement seeking ways to get even more people that the largest single predictor of officers who responded to the survey involved in crime watch groups. crime levels was “collective efficacy,” said NNO in 1997 had enhanced “There was no need to be quite so which they defined as mutual trust their agencies’ policing programs. low profile about it,” he said. among neighbors combined with will- Three-quarters of residents said they ingness to intervene on behalf of the felt either more or much more com- Peskin remembers two images that common good. Neighborhoods with fortable contacting law enforcement helped shape the National Night Out high collective efficacy scores had officers after National Night Out, and idea in his mind. One was the scene crime rates 40 percent below those 64 percent said they felt safer in their from the movie “Network” in which in lower scoring neighborhoods.1 communities. Perhaps most important the anchor urges viewers to go to for generating partnerships between their windows, lean out, and shout, Dr. Wesley Skogan, professor of polit- residents and police, residents report- “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to ical science at Northwestern ed meeting, on average, five new law take it anymore.” The other was a University in Chicago, who has exam- enforcement officers during the event. soft drink ad about a program called ined these issues in his research, More than half of the respondents Hands Across America. “I loved that noted that “where people are involved said they had met 25 or more fellow idea but I didn’t like the idea that in neighborhood organizations, have residents. you had to pay to stand in line,”

3 Bulletin From the Field: Practitioner Perspectives

Peskin recalled. “Also, it wasn’t real honors in their city-size category, Today, NATW is still lean, with a 5- clear what they were doing.” Peskin said. In 1994, Project 365 person office and $700,000 budget. was launched to help communities Each February, the office sends out But Peskin knew what NATW need- identify specific projects they could more than 10,000 organizational ed. “I felt we needed to do something address year-round. The projects, packets to groups around the country, different and powerful and produc- which have included cleaning local telling them how to organize or tive, something high profile, with a parks, removing graffiti, and estab- expand NNO events; how to order high impact and broad scale.” lishing new services, begin on Night banners, posters, and door-hangers Inspired by the two film images, Out and conclude 365 days later. listing the names of local sponsors; Peskin developed the idea for how to generate media interest in National Night Out and presented advance of and during National Night it to his board. More than 32 million people in Out; and whom to contact. The kits 9,530 communities gathered in provide camera-ready artwork, sam- The original concept was very simple: ple press releases, a sample National Everyone in a neighborhood would sit parks and streets and front Night Out proclamation, and an array on their front porch for an hour with yards, celebrating yearlong part- of other material to guide local organ- the lights on “to send a clear signal izers through the planning process. that there [are] more of us than there nerships between police and Participants receive additional mail- are of them,” Peskin recalled. He communities that have helped ings in May and July, as well as four started promoting it in April 1984. newsletters throughout the year. The following August, 400 communi- reduce crime. ties with 2.5 million people in 23 Each year the national office states participated in the first organizes a huge kickoff event in National Night Out. SC Johnson is NNO’s primary corpo- Philadelphia the night before rate sponsor, contributing funds as National Night Out. After the event, Among the first cities participating well as promotional materials such as staff review contest submissions from were Detroit, Houston, Minneapolis, the banners, posters, door-hangers, thousands of cities and towns, each New York, and Philadelphia. Despite and product coupons that block vying to be ranked as the best among the success, “it wasn’t like it was a captains use to organize events. The cities of their size. For the contest, real easy sell,” Peskin recalled. company also organizes local retailers communities submit notebooks and Police chiefs were wary of getting of Johnson products to offer sponsor- videos with accounts of successful involved with the new organization ships, listing them on the promotional crime watch groups and National because “if it fell on its face, they materials. “We look for programs that Night Out events. would look like idiots.” The large bring meaning from consumer and turnout and positive media coverage trade perspectives and programs that In 1997, BJA funded development of won them over, and the next year give back to the community,” said a Web site (www.natw.org), at which more than 2,100 communities Marty Killinger, SC Johnson’s manag- groups can obtain information about celebrated the event. er for promotional resources. or register for NNO. Eventually users will be able to order equipment and Over the years, the national office in But there are literally thousands of perhaps participate in National Night Philadelphia and various communi- other local and regional businesses Out discussion groups through the ties have added special elements to that contribute to the events: grocery Web site. the celebration. Block parties were an stores donate food, utilities lower innovation in 1986. The following electricity rates on National Night The main action, of course, takes year, with the introduction of the Out, and large employers subsidize place in cities and towns around the awards program, “the communities employees’ block parties or offer their country. The following five cities have really got into it,” competing for top parking lots for gatherings. been ranked among the best in their size category by NATW for many

4 National Night Out years: New Orleans, Louisiana; National Night Out focuses attention city’s neighborhoods. Some focus Minneapolis, Minnesota; The on the success of these efforts and on involving children and youth in Woodlands (Houston), Texas; Boston, encourages more citizens to get organizing and participating in the Massachusetts; and Lodi, California. involved in crime prevention event. Diane Sakowski, organizer Although there are similarities among activities. The event has become so for the Willowbrook Apartments, says communities nationwide that cele- institutionalized, Elder said, that she got involved because she was brate National Night Out, these cities “people feel like they’re missing out concerned about children and their exemplify the best thinking about on something if they’re not a part of well-being. “With innocent kids how to make the program successful. it. There’s almost a competition getting killed on the streets every day between neighborhoods to see who from drugs, gangs, and other violent New Orleans, can be most effective.” acts, I had no choice but to get Louisiana involved,” she said. “The kids are our future and if we don’t invest in The evening of August 3, 1999, was New Orleans’ events on National them now, we’ll pay later on.” as hot and humid as any summer Night Out are as diverse as the night can be in New Orleans, an Planning for the Willowbrook celebra- evening when those riding the famed city’s neighborhoods. Some tion begins several months before streetcars into the city’s Garden NNO and explicitly involves young focus on involving children District fanned themselves and people. This year’s events included a wished for something cool to drink. and youth in organizing and potluck dinner, a youth talent show, It was weather that typically keeps and group singing and dancing. participating in the event. people inside their air-conditioned “Experience shows that when youth homes rather than out on the streets. are involved, they not only show up and get to know each other, they bring But this night 18,000 people were The night is designed to accomplish their parents with them,” Sakowski celebrating at more than 375 six goals: said. “This gives the adults the neighborhood events. It was a night opportunity to meet each other and when city officials, law enforcement ◆ Provide an opportunity for see youth involved in positive activ- officers, leaders from communities of neighbors to meet one another. ities. It also provides the opportuni- faith, business leaders, and neighbor- ◆ Increase interaction and ty to talk with both adults and youth hood residents paused to reflect on communication among citizens, about crime-related issues and to the roles each had played in realizing police, and city leaders. give them information on how to pro- a 46-percent decrease in violent ◆ tect themselves and their property.” crime since 1995. Build relationships of trust and respect among residents, police, Other events are organized around Police Sgt. Greg Elder and his staff and city leaders. music, such as the one held this year coordinate each year’s National ◆ Encourage citizens to become in the Lakefront Area on beautiful Night Out, but the event is the involved in fighting crime. Lake Pontchartrain, where the Petit culmination of yearlong efforts to ◆ Allow people to recognize and Bois, a band of young people aged 8 involve communities in fighting celebrate the successes they to 13, provided the entertainment. crime. Throughout the year, Elder’s have achieved through The band’s message to other youth department works closely with cooperative efforts. was pick up an instrument, not a neighborhood associations and gun—make music rather than get Neighborhood Watch programs to ◆ Give residents and police a into trouble. More than 100 adults share local crime statistics, hear chance to recommit to working were on hand to celebrate as well. residents’ perspectives, and develop together. effective interventions in response New Orleans’ events on National District A City Council Member to citizens’ concerns. Night Out are as diverse as the Suzanne Terrell, who attended this

5 Bulletin From the Field: Practitioner Perspectives

Roman said. “I program to emphasize building realized that if effective community partnerships. she could be The city’s business leadership involved, so endowed a Police Foundation with could I. If I enough resources to provide wanted to have supplemental funds for community a nice block to policing, and elected officials live on, I had to upgraded police salaries and do something. increased the number of police That meant officers. All of these groups actively coming out from participate in NNO activities. behind locked doors, getting to Leadership at the grassroots Block captains for the Gentilly Gardens Neighborhoods Watch Group in know my neigh- level. In each neighborhood at New Orleans. Left to right: Martha Johnson, Rebecca Bell, Rachelle least one local resident must take Defillo, Carol LaMotte, and Val Lacey. bors, finding out from police what responsibility for community organ- event, noted that “New Orleans has kind of crime was occurring in my izing. In most cases this involves always been a neighborhood-focused neighborhood, and then taking a role year-round coordination of neighbor- city where people care about each in stopping that crime.” According to hood meetings, monitoring of crime other. National Night Out, however, St. Roman, their neighborhood efforts statistics, and engagement of city and provides an organized opportunity to have been successful. “The neigh- police department officials when publicly say to criminals that citizens borhood is a different place now than appropriate. living in this neighborhood are not it was just 3 years ago,” she said. going to put up with criminal activity. “Drug trafficking is down substan- Each neighborhood has various If you do something wrong there will tially as are quality-of-life crimes. assets upon which to build, including be a reaction from the neighborhood We now have reason to celebrate!” residents, faith communities, and residents as well as the police community-based service organiza- department. This is very effective New Orleans may know how to party, tions. Roles for these partners need to in preventing crimes.” but everyone involved in National be identified so they can become part Night Out—neighborhood residents, of the solution. In New Orleans these And then there is the famed French city officials, business leaders, and roles include providing space for Quarter, where parties happen 365 police—agreed on a set of best prac- meetings, contributing funds for a days a year. This year’s National tices required to give New Orleans, National Night Out event, providing Night Out celebration, organized by or any city, something to celebrate. photocopying services for community B.B. St. Roman, was one of the few meeting notices, distributing the events in the Quarter at which locals Leadership from the top. All notices, and providing recognition of outnumbered tourists. With her beau- sectors, including the police, community citizens working on crime tiful cockatoo, Iko, sitting on her business community, and city govern- reduction activities. shoulder, St. Roman recalled that ment, must support the effort, and when she first moved to the French they must understand and make a Relationships of trust and Quarter she lived behind locked commitment to the fundamentals of respect between citizens and doors because she was afraid to go community policing and citizen police. A conscious effort must be out into the streets. involvement in crime reduction. In made to provide opportunities for New Orleans, new Police Superinten- citizens and police to get to know one “When I saw my 90-year-old neighbor dent Richard Pennington restruc- another. Communication must be two- going out onto the street shouting at tured the department to get more offi- way—that is, citizens need to hear some kids who were vandalizing prop- cers working in the neighborhoods what concerns police have and police erty, I knew I had to get involved,” St. and redesigned the officer training need to hear what citizens have to

6 National Night Out say. Recognition that each has some- Public recogni- thing to contribute to making neigh- tion for jobs well borhoods safe is critical to forming done. Any indi- the partnerships necessary to be vidual, business, effective in reducing crime. or organization that participates in In New Orleans, police officers are the coordination or expected to attend any Neighborhood sponsorship of an Watch meeting at which they are event should be needed and the police department publicly recog- provides monthly briefings for nized for con- neighborhood leaders noting crimes tributing. The committed in their neighborhood In New Orleans, the Louisiana Superdome’s electronic billboard adver- recognition takes tises National Night Out events. during the month. Further, if special many forms, rang- circumstances arise and neighbor- ing from thank-you letters from adorning the walls of the Minnesota hood leaders need special meetings, public officials to public recognition Indian Women’s Resource Center. the police make themselves available. ceremonies at which awards are The phrase, written in Ojibwe in a presented. child’s handwriting, means “Taking A point person in the police care of each other,” a crime pre- department to coordinate NNO Linkage of National Night Out to vention message for the Center’s efforts citywide. Because National year-round efforts. Neighborhood celebration of National Night Out. In Night Out is part of an overall com- Watch, neighborhood associations, the cafeteria, dozens of women from munity policing strategy, Sgt. Elder civic groups, neighborhood town hall the Dakota, Lakota, and Ho-chunk has not only responsibility for the meetings, and other gatherings of citi- Nations sat talking while young chil- program but the authority and zens can provide the opportunity to dren played, filling the space with resources to make it happen. talk about crime prevention on an laughter and joy. Sue Kincade, the ongoing basis. Center’s human resources coordina- Effective pre- and postevent tor, organized the event in coopera- publicity. Among the strategies Officials and residents argued that tion with other city leaders and spoke used in New Orleans to secure pub- these critical elements of National of teaching Native-American children licity are a partnership with a local Night Out, together with an effective “understanding, not violence.” television station to provide publici- community policing strategy, have ty before, during, and after the been central to reducing crime. “We A few blocks away in Powderhorn events; contributions from Cox don’t have to have a policeman on Park, State Patrol Air Wing Trooper Communications to develop public every corner,” said Police Capt. Ernie Bob Ringold gently set his helicopter service announcements; support Demma, commander of the Eighth down on the park’s playing field. from local television and radio District in the French Quarter. “But Dozens of delighted children and stations to schedule appearances by we do have to have citizens working their curious parents joined Barb police, citizens, and city leaders on with the police. A 10-percent King, NNO organizer for the 3100 local broadcasts; phone interviews increase in citizen participation is block of 14th Avenue South, in this as requested by the media; an equivalent to a 50-percent increase kickoff of what she called the in-kind contribution advertising the in police manpower.” “Avenue of the Stars” block party. event on the Superdome pylon; More than 400 former and current advertising space on billboards and Minneapolis, neighbors, listening to the rock band in bus shelters contributed by Minnesota Rick and the Resisters, would enjoy Outdoor Systems; and advertising the summer evening’s crime preven- “Zhoo...Way...Noh...Dig” read the space on taxicab displays. tion event. Back in the park, families brightly colored poster, one of many eagerly waited to pose for a picture

7 Bulletin From the Field: Practitioner Perspectives alongside city and park police, while activists, told success stories of In the newly renovated interior court Trooper Bob discussed the $1.7 mil- overcoming the tragedy of a neigh- of the Minneapolis City Hall, Mayor lion aircraft’s role in crime prevention. borhood murder and victories in Sharon Sayles Belton, the first combating burglary, drug dealing, African-American woman to be elect- At the Madison Apartments on the prostitution, petty theft, traffic ed mayor in a major American city, 500 block of East thanked city employees for their part 15th Street, locat- in the success of National Night Out. ed in Minneapolis’ This year, she said, more than 850 Central neighbor- block parties representing 1,714 hood, Alia blocks registered. (Later, police Mohamed, wear- announced that more than 42,105 citi- ing traditional zens, or 11.5 percent of the city’s pop- Somalian dress, ulation, had participated, representing sat in a circle with 30 percent of its streets.) other Somalian women, quietly About to embark on a whirlwind tour encouraging their of 10 block parties, the mayor laughed The Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis comes together on the 2500 participation in block of 16th Avenue South. that she would eat her way “across the community organ- city,” joining resi- izing. Moments before the yard of the dents who were apartment complex had been filled filling streets, with the smells of East African foods, parks, and school enjoyed by the neighbors and local yards for an community crime prevention police evening of food, officers. As the event came to a close, fun, and, most children ran freely on the lush lawns, important, Somalian men huddled together in conversation. the setting sun, and teenage boys dressed in Tommy Hilfiger clothes This year’s hung out in groups watching the Alia Mohamed and Abdi Gure, civilian employees of the Minneapolis Police theme—Back Department and community crime prevention organizers, preside over the first to Basics— teenage girls. For the Somalis this was National Night Out event organized for the growing Somalian community. the first National Night Out event emphasized organized for their large and growing problems, nuisance houses, fear, and strengthening existing block clubs community. This evening’s theme, hopelessness—challenging neighbor- and organizing new ones. Theresa expressed by Abdi Gure, was Take hood problems that motivated them to Ruhland, a crime prevention manag- Charge of Your Neighborhood, a new step forward and take back their er for CCP/SAFE, the Minneapolis concept to these refugees from a streets, parks, and peace of mind. Police Department’s community country torn asunder by civil strife. crime prevention unit, noted that It’s hard to imagine an undercurrent “block clubs in Minneapolis, and in As National Night Out events unfold- of crime in a city with such natural Minnesota in general, grew out of a ed across the city, Minneapolis, beauty, a booming economy, and long history of civic-mindedness and which is ranked first among large a history of progressive civic- neighborhood organizing.” Lucy cities by NATW for organizing crime mindedness. Think of Mary Tyler Gerold, director of the police depart- prevention block clubs, lived up to its Moore’s portrayal of Mary Richards ment’s community services bureau, reputation. Organizers for the city, tossing her hat in the air in downtown explained that “block associations including Kincade, King, Gure, and Minneapolis, and you sense the and the organizing of block leaders Mohamed, along with many other promise of this City of Lakes. date back to the early seventies when a Department of Justice’s Law

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Enforcement Assistance Admin- ◆ Active block clubs build commu- istration [LEAA] grant provided the nity, increase hope, and create Minneapolis, which is ranked first seed money for three pilot projects harmony. among large cities by NATW for to develop local block clubs” with ◆ Positive activities displace nega- a focus on reducing neighborhood tive activities; as people spend organizing crime prevention block burglaries. Today, among many more time outside, they take back clubs, lived up to its reputation. other crime prevention activities, their streets and neighborhoods. CCP/SAFE coordinates Minneapolis’ ◆ Organizers for the city told success National Night Out. National Night Out is an opportunity for all parts of the community, stories of overcoming the tragedy CCP/SAFE’s Unit 24 organizes teams including businesses, corporate of a neighborhood murder and (each consisting of a uniformed offi- sponsors, religious institutions, cer and a civilian crime prevention city agencies, and news media, victories in combating burglary, specialist) assigned to the city’s 5 to come together to promote the drug dealing, prostitution, petty precincts. A central crime prevention shared goal of a safe, healthy office houses three crime prevention community. theft, traffic problems, nuisance managers and support staff who coor- ◆ National Night Out reinforces the houses, fear, and hopelessness. dinate the CCP/SAFE programs. partnership of citizens and police Working in collaboration with other to combat crime. city departments and social service From April through July, CCP/SAFE clubs and National Night Out street agencies, CCP/SAFE teams address a teams conducted outreach to more parties. The highly successful block wide variety of “livability problems,” than 200 blocks, and 66 new block club leadership trainings consist of meeting routinely with block clubs, club meetings were organized. “If a six elements: neighborhood associations, and neighborhood does not have a block other community groups to prioritize ◆ An overview of the CCP/SAFE club, CCP/SAFE team members will problems and to involve residents in and Minneapolis Police Depart- go door to door to encourage some- solutions. ment organizational structures one to step forward and assist with and functions. To create and strengthen block clubs, organizing the neighborhood,” ◆ the backbone of community crime Ruhland said. Gerold captured the An introduction to crime preven- prevention efforts, CCP/SAFE works responsibility block leaders assume tion strategies such as making a year-round to engage citizens in in neighborhood problem solving by home safer through physical secu- community organizing. Dozens of noting “block organizers can’t be rity (hardware) improvements. volunteers, block leaders, corporate anonymous—your life is on the ◆ A review of crime prevention sponsors, and CCP/SAFE personnel block, you are connected, you are programs sponsored by the police meet monthly to plan and organize just a door or two away from a department, such as the McGruff NNO—sending out information, news problem or a solution.” House (a residence on the block releases, announcements, block party designated as a safe house for When a block club has been organ- suggestions, and street-closing per- children under 12) and Watch- ized, CCP/SAFE team members offer mits. The philosophy of Minneapolis’ force (a group of citizens who leadership training and help organiz- National Night Out event is captured participate in surveillance and ers set up meetings in their homes, in five key messages, reinforced in reporting of community problems). local schools, churches, or precinct National Night Out and CCP/SAFE ◆ station houses. Throughout the year A discussion of issues such as literature and presentations: CCP/SAFE teams offer 2 1/2-hour building community in diverse settings, youth involvement, ◆ Cohesive, healthy neighborhoods block club leadership trainings. In and networking. are key to preventing crime and 1998, more than 200 people attend- violence. ed, of whom 61 organized new block ◆ Lessons on the basics of organizing a block/apartment club/

9 Bulletin From the Field: Practitioner Perspectives

network, including the roles and Houston, the winding streets with responsibilities of block leaders. Police announced that more than names like Rush Haven and Peaceful Canyon Drive are deliberate attempts ◆ Information on how to solve 16 42,105 citizens, or 11.5 percent “common problems” such as to make residents feel secure. More traffic problems, youth causing of Minneapolis’ population, had than three-fourths of the streets end in cul-de-sacs, making it hard for neighborhood disturbances, participated, representing prostitution, loitering, drug burglars to find their way around and houses, abandoned dwellings, 30 percent of its streets. easy for residents to get to know their and adult and child welfare issues. neighbors. This neighborhood is not only a hidden haven where every A beat-up van sits in a parking lot with friends. A few houses away, her home comes wired for security but behind an abandoned building down neatly kept yard, dotted with perenni- also a community where neighbors the street from Linda Kolkind’s home als and enclosed by a picket fence, watch out for neighbors even though on the 3700 block of 14th Avenue belied the fact that this now peaceful the population has doubled in the South. On the sides of the van, in street was once the scene of dozens last decade. neatly spray-painted letters, are the of cruising cars with drivers search- statements “Real Men Don’t Buy “We know every single person in this ing for a quick exchange of sex for Women” and “Pimps Are Wimps.” neighborhood,” said Vickie Busic as money. Shortly after moving to the The parking lot, once a meeting she pushed her infant son down her block and into her first home, the place for johns and prostitutes, ser- street in a stroller and chatted with self-described ex-hippie, seeing the viced a booming sex industry along neighbors on National Night Out. drug and sex trades, thought she had the busy commercial strip adjacent to “Every single one. There are only two made a huge mistake and considered Kolkind’s tree-lined street. Kolkind ways in here and two ways out, and if moving to a safer part of town. knew all too well Gerold’s observa- somebody’s not supposed to be here, Instead Kolkind decided to take a tion that “block organizers can’t be we know it.” stand and “stop the insanity” being anonymous” when she approached created by the noise and crime in her pimps, prostitutes, and johns to stop Busic, a stay-at-home mom, said neighborhood. Today, ever vigilant, the noise and chaos the open-air sex her husband, a sales manager for Kolkind’s gutsy organizing skills have market created. a wine company, has twice turned reaped a strong block club and down job offers in the 3 years several more on adjoining streets. Joining with another neighbor (“You they’ve lived here so they could can’t do this kind of work alone”), stay in The Woodlands. “This is making demands of the local precinct The Woodlands our extended family,” she said. and councilmember (“We must have (Houston), Texas “Someday I’ll be able to let my called a hundred times”), working Driving down the Woodlands child play outside and know I’m not with the vice squad (“They observed Parkway on National Night Out, you the only one keeping an eye on him. from my living room window”), and never would have known that more That’s why we live here.” collaborating with the CCP/SAFE than half the residents of The team, Kolkind went door to door, Woodlands were out partying with That desire to be part of a commu- organizing her neighbors in an effort their neighbors. That’s because virtu- nity is typical of The Woodlands’ to develop a strategy of peaceful, ally all 20,000 homes here are con- 56,000 residents and one of the main legal, in-your-face confrontation that cealed behind walls of pine trees, reasons 32,000 of them participated pushed the sex trade out of her deep inside a maze of streets and in NNO this year, said Marian Leck, neighborhood and off her block. cul-de-sacs. manager of Woodlands Watch, the neighborhood crime watch group that On National Night Out, Kolkind Like so much else in this planned coordinates National Night Out for celebrated by sitting in a lawn chair community 30 miles north of the area. in the center of her street talking

10 National Night Out

prevention and full-time staff who handle paperwork, public safety publicity, finances, and, most of year-round—from all, planning. curb-numbering to registering bicy- “It’s easy to be a volunteer here cles to organizing because it’s so organized,” said a telephone net- Stephanie Teed, a music teacher who work through has helped coordinate her neighbor- which the sheriff hood’s party for the past 7 years. can issue crime “You just call them up and say, ‘I watch alerts— want to have a party,’ and they send culminating in you a packet with everything you

John Everett National Night need to know.” From left, 15-year-old Catherine Bourne, 12-year-old Caitlyn Hopkins, Out. In The and 15-year-old Shannon Hopkins check out safety tips for teens at a Woodlands Watch’s planning begins party for the Cochran’s Green neighborhood in The Woodlands. Woodlands, the staff’s salaries and early, before city pools and parks “People move here because they these programs cost the owner of a have been reserved. In January or want to be part of a community, and $164,000 house, the median sale February, the staff schedules a series that makes my job that much easier,” price there, less than $11 a year. of pre-events that generate publicity said Leck, a former sheriff’s deputy. for National Night Out, educate the “They know that if you create a sense Although the staff does not answer to public on crime prevention, and give of community, that will lead to a a volunteer advisory board or city residents additional opportunities to safe community.” government in this unincorporated interact with sheriff’s and constable’s community—but to the boards of the deputies, FBI agents, 911 dispatch- Just how safe? Lt. Ollie Coward, property owners’ associations them- ers, firefighters, and emergency commander of the Montgomery selves—at the core of Woodlands medical workers. On the agenda for County Sheriff’s Department district Watch are 1,100 volunteers who coor- 1999 were Meet the Police Day at a that includes The Woodlands, said dinate Watch events in their neigh- new sheriff’s station in May; Family that although theft is a problem in borhoods. From the ranks of those Fun Night at the YMCA pool in June; this fast-growing area, particularly at volunteers came almost all of this and National Night Out with Sirens construction sites, there are relatively year’s 300 NNO coordinators, who and Suspenders for fifth, sixth, and few home burglaries and “an signed up to help out after receiving seventh graders at the Woodlands astounding lack of violent crime.” party registration forms inside the Recreation Center in July. From a In 1997, there were just 0.78 violent Woodlands Watchword newsletter sent float at the Montgomery County crimes for every 1,000 residents, to all Woodlands Watch volunteers in Fourth of July Parade, Watch workers compared with 11.74 in Houston. June. National Night Out could not also passed out 2,500 fans—“not have achieved the popularity it has in nearly enough,” Leck said—inviting But Woodlands residents pay for their The Woodlands without these volun- residents to National Night Out. security. Woodlands Watch is one of teers, who hang signs, remind their the nation’s few Neighborhood Watch neighbors about National Night Out These pre-events cost Woodlands groups with a paid staff, and its when they meet for softball, fill Watch approximately $200, mostly $237,000-a-year budget comes from balloons with free helium at the gro- for hot dogs and chips. The group the annual dues homeowners and cery store, and decide which side of also paid a local company $2,200 to business owners pay their community their street’s residents should bring produce a video about National Night associations. Leck, two other full- the ice cream and which should Out in The Woodlands as part of its time organizers, and three part-time bring the sprinkles. But much of the entry in the nationwide NNO compe- assistants work to promote crime evening’s success is attributed to the tition. An additional $4,500 went toward purchasing the fans and other

11 Bulletin From the Field: Practitioner Perspectives

promotional good- chance to educate citizens on how ies from NATW: they can be our eyes and ears.” 1,000 balloons, 500 T-shirts, 500 Boston, Massachusetts frisbees, 432 pen- Nearly two dozen police cars, lights cils, and 36 caps pulsating, sirens screaming, poured to give away to into the streets of the Dorchester sec- volunteers, public tion of Boston in late afternoon on safety personnel, August 3, 1999. People froze on the and contest win- street, eyes wide with curiosity. ners. Through funding from SC This entrance was impressive, but the Johnson, the John Everett police weren’t there to perform a drug national associa- Cpl. Matt Blakelock of the Conroe Independent School District’s police force talks with children at a park party for the Cochran’s Green neigh- bust or break up a loud party. They tion also provided borhood in The Woodlands. had come instead to make some noise 4,000 invitations to of their own. It was the last day of hang on residents’ doors, 400 posters, year’s parties—1,100 houses had National Night Out in Boston, a 5- and 10 banners—plus suggestions for been built since last year’s NNO— day celebration of the partnership safety games, sample press releases, Woodlands Watch encouraged coordi- between police and neighborhood and tips for organizing the event. nators to consolidate block parties at neighborhood parks. Where there crime watch groups. With the city enjoying its lowest crime rate in more Since its first National Night Out would have been seven small parties than three decades, there was a lot to 9 years ago with just 60 volunteers, a few years ago, there may have been celebrate. Woodlands Watch has not had any only one big party this year. problems organizing the event. By the Dorchester Avenue was blocked off time the big night rolled around this That’s the kind of organization that for the celebration. There were year, Woodlands Watch staffers had law enforcement agencies appreciate. clowns, face-painting booths, nothing left to do except drop in at Constable Tim Holifield said his only Vietnamese dragon dancers, African as many of the area’s 128 parties as contribution to National Night Out dancing demonstrations, and free ice possible before sunset. in The Woodlands was scheduling enough deputy constables to work cream for the kids. Tables were loaded with information about HIV Each party also received visits from that night. By giving them an extra and AIDS prevention, senior some of the 57 public safety person- day off before the event, he doesn’t services, and a local community nel who participated in National have to pay overtime. Likewise, the health center. Night Out. School police officers Sheriff’s Department avoids paying arrived on bikes or with their K–9 overtime by careful scheduling, said In every corner of the city, parties partners. Mall security guards on Coward. It’s a time commitment law were jumping. Some were official horseback visited senior centers. enforcement agencies are willing to celebrations with hundreds of partici- Firefighters brought their trucks; make in the hope that friendly pants, visited by a cavalcade that at emergency medical workers, their encounters with a deputy will make times included 29 cars and nearly ambulances; and deputy constables, children feel that they can turn to 100 police and top city officials. their patrol cars. Sheriff’s deputies the police when they need help and Others were smaller affairs. Most passed out collector cards, produced make adults feel like they’re part were funded through donations or by the Optimists Club and sponsored of a crime-fighting partnership discounts offered by area businesses by local businesses, featuring local with police. and were organized by community deputies instead of baseball players. “This is a chance to let people meet police officers and neighborhood crime watch groups. The money To make sure there were enough us when they’re not getting a traffic raised for each party was relatively public safety personnel to attend this ticket,” Coward said. “This is a

12 National Night Out

modest (up to $1,300), but there were celebrations in every police district recently had been living right behind substantial in-kind donations and in the city, applauding residents for a crack house. “It was dangerous and party organizers made their purchas- participating in crime watch groups. I was afraid something might go es carefully to stretch their funds. The day’s celebration began on the wrong and there might be a shoot- Massachusetts Avenue Bridge, which out,” she remembered. In East Boston seniors and youth spans the Charles River between enjoyed bouquets of blue balloons Boston and Cambridge, where police Just 2 weeks before National Night and a seven-piece brass band, while and citizens from 21 towns and cities Out, police cleaned out the house, police officer Daniel Simons grilled held hands while helicopters buzzed and the arrests were in large part the some of the 1,200 hamburgers and overhead and police and fire depart- result of work by the crime watch hot dogs that were donated by a local ment boats sprayed fountains of group Ogunjobi helped start 7 years supermarket chain. Simons said that water below. It was a symbolic act ago. “We just got together as a fami- this was a day for residents to see the of the partnership between police ly,” she recalled of her neighbors. police as regular people. “Sometimes and residents. They watched the house and talked they feel when they see us in uniform on the phone, noted faces and license that we’re a little unapproachable. “They’re the eyes and ears of the plates, and worked with community But when they see us like this,” he Boston Police Department,” police officer Paul Johnston, who has gestured with a spatula, “they Superintendent and Chief Robert been in their Dorchester neighbor- become a little more friendly.” Faherty said of the citizen crime hood for 8 years. “He’s a dear friend watchers in the city. “They know to me because he works so hard on In Jamaica Plain, Police Community things that are going on in their my street to keep us safe,” Ogunjobi Service Supervisor Larry van Zandt neighborhoods that we’d never know said. “And he promised that and he donned a big smile and a tall chef’s because they’re there all the time. stuck to his promise.” hat. “This is our way of showing the And it’s their information that makes community we truly serve them,” he the streets safe.” Ogunjobi could barely contain her quipped as he stoked two hot grills. enthusiasm as she listened to city Elsa Ogunjobi’s neighborhood is a and police officials address the From 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. the city’s perfect example. Ogunjobi is a single crowd gathered in Dorchester on top brass, including the mayor and mother and nurse who must often National Night Out. Like a one- the police commissioner, attended 10 return home late at night and until woman crime watch cheerleader, she Boston Herald Representatives from 21 Boston area communities join hands across the Massachusetts Avenue bridge linking Boston and Cambridge to help kick off National Night Out.

13 Bulletin From the Field: Practitioner Perspectives

saying thank you to neighborhoods and to those who have gone the extra mile,” explained Tracy Amalfitano, project director of National Night Out in Boston and assistant director of the crime watch unit.

On Dorchester Avenue, Hayes gave Theresa O’Neil an award for starting a crime watch group after she noticed drug dealing and car vandalism in her neighborhood near Carney Hospital. She reached out to her neighbors, to police, to other crime watch groups, and to the hospital administration—all of whom began to work together to solve the problem. “It was a decay that was starting out- Dressing up for National Night Out in the Roslindale neighborhood in Boston. side her front steps, that went across shouted out her approval. “Yeah!” Soon his neighbors joined him and the street, down through the park into she whooped, waving her hand in the the muggings stopped. Since that other neighborhoods,” Hayes said as air, urging the speakers on. humble beginning, 1,022 crime he cited O’Neil’s work. “Think small. watch groups have emerged in the If we can stop a little bit of an infec- Boston’s crime watch program has city. For Hayes, these groups are the tion, it’s not going to spread to a built relationships not only between key to building strong communities. serious illness in the neighborhood.” police and residents but also among residents. Those who have been part “The common ingredient we found Mayor Thomas M. Menino called of a crime watch group say they help across the city is that neighbors don’t crime watches “one of the most weave a strong support web from know neighbors anymore,” said effective tools we have in fighting neighbor to neighbor, overcoming the Hayes. “We have found that there’s a crime,” and said that National Night many barriers that sometimes keep hunger to do that on the streets. That Out was an important crime aware- people apart. Ogunjobi’s neighborhood people seem to jump at it.” Hayes ness tool—especially today when is home to Asian, Caucasian, Latin described the simple act of neighbors crime rates are dropping. American, Caribbean, and African- introducing themselves to one anoth- American residents. She describes er as a kind of magic. Perceived For the ninth consecutive year the her street residents as close-knit. barriers that sometimes keep people crime rate has dropped in Boston, “Because we have been through a lot apart, such as language, race, with the largest decrease in homi- of severe crimes, we have come to be religion, and lifestyle, “seem to cides, which are at their lowest level not only neighbors, but family.” evaporate very, very quickly.” As since 1961. For the past 5 years people get to know one another, Boston has outpaced cities nation- As mentioned earlier, 14 years ago, they start to show concern. wide in serious crime reduction, and Hayes started the first crime watch is now ranked as the 12th safest large group in Boston on his block in the As the official cavalcade wound its city in the country. South End. The summer before he way across the city, Hayes addressed joined the police department, his the crowds at every stop, handing out “[National Night Out] puts awareness street was tormented by a series of community service awards to crime of crime in front of people again,” muggings. Hayes, who was 53, began watchers in every neighborhood. “It Menino said. “Because we are going standing alone on his block at night. is the police department’s way of through good times, it’s not time to

14 National Night Out get complacent. It’s time to redouble officers started to make regular visits much that as soon as the year’s our efforts and make sure we don’t go to Nonquit Street. celebration concludes, planning back to where we were 10 years ago.” for the next one begins. “We started with flowers,” recalled In the early 1990s, before neighbor- Aime Owens, a resident for 13 years. The neighborhood crime watch unit hood policing was firmly established “Then we started with telephone lines plans the largest citywide events. in Boston, the police presence on tiny to each other when we saw things Captains in each police district Nonquit Street in Dorchester was going on in the street. [Today,] we all facilitate the planning of the main minimal and residents didn’t know know each other. We know whose celebration in their particular district each other’s names. All that changed children [are whose].” and choose the site that the police when one African-American woman, cavalcade visits in their district. On Magnolia Munroe-Gordon, and one Things have improved so much on June 1 of every year the crime watch white woman, Ruth Clarke, together Nonquit Street that 2 years ago it was unit sends a letter to every crime planted a community garden in a chosen as an official National Night watch group in the city, offering vacant lot. Out site, visited by the cavalcade. technical assistance and asking the This year the neighborhood enjoyed a groups to return a card detailing their Munroe-Gordon lived next door to the quieter, more intimate celebration, far plans. This information is then sent vacant lot, which in those days was from the whirring lights of the police to the captains of each district, who used as a garbage heap by neighbors cars and the speechmaking of offi- send police officers to every who hurled everything from old tires cials. As the setting sun turned brick neighborhood celebration. to car parts to trash bags over the buildings a pale orange, neighbors fence. But what really got to Munroe- gathered around long tables adorned The celebration kicks off days before Gordon was the ragweed, which grew with colored crepe paper, set under the actual National Night Out with an up to 10 feet tall, blew into her street lamps, to share an abundant award ceremony for a children’s window, and made her and her son homemade meal. poster contest. The 26 winning artists sick with allergies. She couldn’t get received U.S. savings bonds for as the city to mow it down, so she decid- Children biked up and down Nonquit much as $200 and art supplies. The ed to organize her neighbors to plant Street; one little boy backed into entire event, which includes a buffet a community garden. Clarke threw Officer Edward Hairston’s police meal for winners and their families, her support behind Munroe-Gordon bike, knocking it over. Hairston just costs just under $7,000 and is funded and promised to help. laughed and pinned a plastic “Junior by donations from eight Boston busi- Police” badge on the child’s shirt. On nesses and institutions. This year, “I finally found someone who shared National Night Out Hairston didn’t organizers of the poster contest were a dream,” said Clarke. As the garden have enough of these popular badges pleased by the lack of violence evolved the neighbors got to know to pass around. He said National depicted in the posters. each other and began to discuss other Night Out “unifies the community” problems in the neighborhood. and fosters communication with adults who were involved with the From tiny neighborhood picnics to “There [were] drug dealing [and] loud police in the past. “You get together parties for 1,000 people, National parties, and there were gang hang- on a one-on-one basis and privately outs,” Munroe-Gordon recalled. “It talk about an incident that may have Night Out in Boston has grown was pretty bad. We were under occurred a year or two ago. . . . so much that as soon as the siege. . . . The loud parties went from This is a good way to make things a 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. We would eventual- lot smoother.” year’s celebration concludes, ly call the police department, but we’d get very little response.” Finally, From tiny neighborhood picnics to planning for the next one begins. Clarke wrote a letter to the superin- parties for 1,000 people, National tendent of police and soon afterward Night Out in Boston has grown so

15 Bulletin From the Field: Practitioner Perspectives

Another major Boston event is the having a block party. No problem, police. “At one point we ran a biker Crime Watch Awards ceremony. Ten they decided: We’ll hold class at the out of our neighborhood,” Alice Baker crime watch groups and one individ- party. said. They took up a collection to form ual, the crime watcher of the year, the watch group and made plans for are feted with food and awards So around 8 p.m., nine tap dancers their first National Night Out celebra- handed out by the mayor and police and their leader, Susan Sixkiller, tion. Within a month, the landlord commissioner. In addition, the city piled out of cars into the street for a finally evicted the dealers, and anoth- sponsors a mini-cavalcade on July special performance in front of nearly er house next door where trouble 31 through three neighborhoods three dozen neighbors gathered on seemed to be brewing also was and awards are presented to crime- Howard Street. It was the sixth year vacated. fighting residents. that Howard Street neighbors were celebrating the recovery of their Ever since, the Howard Street watch Among the award winners was the neighborhood. group has been one of Lodi’s most Groom/Humphreys Neighborhood active, celebrating what Alice Crime Watch, which has grown dra- As the dancers tapped out “Put on Baker calls a “very, very quiet matically since its founding 7 Your Dancin’ Shoes,” Alice Baker neighborhood.” months before National Night Out. recalled the problems that led The group, which includes Cape Howard Street to Verdean, Puerto Rican, Cuban, form a neighbor- Colombian, and African-American hood watch members, has worked closely with group in 1994. the police to address safety issues “We were having including inadequate street lighting, trouble with abandoned buildings, and intimida- drug dealing” at tion by gangs. the house next to block captain At one point during the awards cere- Cindy Jorey’s, mony, Henry Fernando Bossa, a she remem- leader of the group, got everyone on bered. “We their feet to applaud the police offi- would see young cers in the room. Since his group teenagers riding began meeting, relations with the their bikes with Jerry Tyson police have improved considerably, he backpacks, they Members of the Steppin’ Out tap dancers entertain the Howard Street block said, with at least five police officers would go in the party in Lodi. attending every crime watch meeting. side door, and Police quickly respond to the group’s within minutes they would come out Groups like this are at the heart of requests for help and information, he and leave,” she said. Her husband, Neighborhood Watch and National said, and put their lives on the line. Mayland, recalled, “We got pictures of Night Out for Mary Fuhs, the commu- “They do a heroic job.” little school children going in and out nity services officer who organizes of there. I’d go out in the morning to these activities in Lodi each year. “I Lodi, California get the newspaper, and at 5:30 some want people to understand they have Susan Thoms usually is tap dancing guy’s sitting on a bicycle across the power within themselves to make pos- her way across a floor on Tuesday street looking at me.” itive changes,” Fuhs said. Sometimes nights, but she let her class know that may mean something as simple So the Bakers, Jorey, and others on she’d have to miss the lesson on as talking with a neighbor. “All we the block started taking down license August 3 because it was National are doing,” she said, “is giving people plate numbers, pressuring the dealers Night Out and her neighborhood was an opportunity to do something they and the landlord, and working with want to do and are afraid to do in our

16 National Night Out society. They just need an excuse and offering to volunteer and have to be we’re giving them an excuse.” told they’re not yet old enough.

Lodi, a city of 58,000, is located in All of this is the foundation for central Joaquin County, the heart of National Night Out, said police California wine country. A sign at the Chief Larry Hansen, who started a edge of town welcomes visitors to the community-policing program 5 years “U.S. Capital of Wine Grapes” and it ago, a year after taking over the is followed by vineyards and adver- department. “The whole concept of tisements for wine tastings along the encouraging neighbors to get to know road long before the city comes into each other again is like taking a step full view. But Lodi also has a sturdy back in time,” he said. “Neighbors manufacturing base, a large number are being neighbors again.” of dairies, and a significant commuter population (about a third of its work- Each year, Fuhs puts National Night ing population commutes to nearby Out together with $250 from the city, Stockton and to as far away as a grant of a few thousand dollars from Sacramento). central California law enforcement agencies, and contributions from

There are only about 350 residential Jerry Tyson local businesses and hundreds of burglaries and 350 car thefts a year Proud winners of the chalk-drawing contest volunteers. She uses McGruff the in Lodi—numbers that have held on the 400 block of East Oak Street in Lodi. crime-fighting dog, seat belt dum- steady despite an increasing mies, an electric display board to population—but the city is one of the 12-year-old girl who was kidnaped promote electrical safety with chil- country’s largest methamphetamine from her home 5 years ago. More dren—anything available to get a suppliers, with dozens, perhaps than 400 people turned up at the crime prevention message across. hundreds, of mostly “Mom and Pop” police station offering to help. They labs scattered throughout the area. immediately distributed 20,000 Banners and posters are hung all Still, the labs do not appear to have fliers, and the girl was recovered over the city, and block captains post engendered a substantial drug cul- within 21 hours. word of the upcoming event with ture. The number of drug-related door-hangers. This year, Fuhs sent Then there are the Volunteer Part- crimes is small; one city detective out a planning newsletter early in the ners. Nearly 100 seniors over age 50 said he has made only one arrest in summer. “The point of National Night work regular hours with the police his career for cocaine and has never Out,” she reminded her circulation of department, checking cars and hous- seen crack. 3,900, “is to spend the evening out- es while residents are on vacation, side talking with neighbors. . . . Lodi has an extraordinary spirit of delivering evidence to Sacramento, Talking, communicating, is what volunteerism. Despite its small size, or driving police cars to a garage for NNO is all about . . . [to] create a the city has 180 active neighborhood maintenance. Two disabled seniors sense of ownership and responsibility watch groups, and this year organized do computer work in the office, and for the safety and welfare of those 126 block parties—some of them others handle traffic control or staff who live in the neighborhood.” large enough to accommodate more the found property department. On than one group. There are dozens National Night Out, it was the On National Night Out, 11 police of stories about their accomplish- Partners who delivered pizzas to the officers, the police chief and com- ments—a car burglar thwarted in one winners of a radio call-in contest. mander, the mayor, and several city neighborhood, a thief identified and The Volunteer Partners program is council members gathered in the arrested in another—but the story so popular that younger people often police briefing room at 5:30 p.m. to Lodians tell most often is about a show up at police headquarters get their orders for the evening. Many officers had volunteered for the duty.

17 Bulletin From the Field: Practitioner Perspectives

with the power of neighborliness; when her home burned down earlier this year, she turned to the people in her block for help. “We’re not nosy, but we’re real concerned about each other,” she said.

For Det. Brian Scott, traveling from party to party and chatting with people was very much business as usual. “I do this anyway,” said Scott, who grew up in Lodi, moved away, and then moved back in

Jerry Tyson 1979. “It lets people know we’re

Lodi Police Chief Larry Hansen during his tour of neighborhood watch groups. just regular people, too, but with a different job. This makes it easier Fuhs handed out the gifts they Fuhs treasures the stories of com- for them to approach you.” would distribute: candy for the kids, mitment to National Night Out: the engraving pens so adults could mark block captain who had a heart Across town on the 400 block of East their property, and Johnson Wax attack but still managed to organize Oak Street, 21 adults, 14 teenagers, products and coupons. Each person his party; the children who have and 35 children were eating all received an itinerary of parties, and moved away from Lodi but return on types of foods. The block includes the officers carried “trading cards” National Night Out for a reunion; Hispanic, East Indian, German, Irish, with their signed pictures and a little and the woman who decided to quit Japanese, and Chinese residents, and information about them on the back. as block captain and introduced her almost everyone brought a dish to successor at the party. Then there share. The children busied them- This year, for the first time, a group of was the time an old boyfriend and selves with a chalk-drawing contest, businesses—the local newspaper, a girlfriend lived on the same street while some adults served as judges bank, a real estate agency, and the and didn’t know it until they saw and others discussed concerns about public library—started things off with each other at a National Night possible drug dealing in a house on a late afternoon National Night Out Out celebration. the next block. party in the central business district. Organized by Sandy Smith, a refer- Eleven neighborhood watch groups Block captain Joanne Mounce has ence librarian, she noted that busi- have stories that are longer; they been working for 7 years to clean nesses have security concerns, too, have been meeting for 10 years or things up. The house she moved into and thus reason to participate. What’s more. Flo Celley organized her group in 1994 had been the home of a drug more important, among the business on Tahoe Drive and Modock Way for dealer. Across the street, another people, “We just personally have 10 years, winning a plaque posted to dealer was running a profitable these ties now.” the telephone pole outside her house business. Through the neighborhood for her achievements. More than 30 watch group she helped establish, At 7 p.m., Fuhs went on the highway people from two blocks attended the residents pressured the landlord and advisory radio channel and hosted a night’s events, enjoying an extraordi- he eventually sold the house. safety call-in contest. Callers from nary potluck dinner. This year was Recently, a young family moved in. block parties who answered traffic, Celley’s swan song, and she was anx- safety, and crime prevention ques- ious for everyone to get connected “When people move in we visit them tions won a free pizza from one of the with Deborah Cameron, a younger and give them neighborhood watch local pizza chains, delivered by a woman who was taking on the job. material, and bring them into what we Volunteer Partner. Cameron has personal experience consider a family,” Mounce said.

18 National Night Out

Police Commander Jerry Adams was Fuhs was tired but satisfied. “I love But the benefits go well beyond these one of the block’s visitors that night, the program,” she said. “I believe in formal relationships. At a time when giving most residents “the only direct it because the people embrace it.” modern pressures tend to keep contact most people have with city neighbors isolated from one another, officials,” Mounce noted. Conclusion National Night Out gives them an opportunity to reconnect, to feel part “I think this makes a huge differ- In each of these cities and in thou- of a community to which they can ence,” said Adams. “The more sands of others across the country, contribute and from which they can [we] open lines of communication, National Night Out has become an draw support and assistance. These the more we can do our job. occasion symbolizing what can connections generate a sense of Neighborhood Watch is one of happen when citizens take respon- ownership and responsibility within the truest forms of community polic- sibility for the well-being of their neighborhoods, critical elements in ing. . . . You have [to have] successful neighborhoods instead of looking a strong crime prevention program. Neighborhood Watch programs before entirely to outside authorities to National Night Out works.” enforce public safety. It creates sit- uations for citizens and police to By the end of the evening, with a forge partnerships that help protect handful of parties still carrying on, communities.

Notes For More Information To order publications or to find out more about BJA programs, contact: 1. Sampson, R.J., S.W. Raudenbush, For more information about National and F. Earls, “Neighborhoods and Night Out, contact: Bureau of Justice Assistance Violent Crime: A Multilevel Study Clearinghouse National Association of Town of Collective Efficacy.” Science P.O. Box 6000 Watch, Inc. 277(August 15, 1997): 918–924. Rockville, MD 20849–6000 P.O. Box 303 NCJ 173119. 1–800–688–4252 Wynnewood, PA 19096 E-mail: [email protected] 610–649–7055 2. Personal interview, September World Wide Web: http://www.ncjrs.org 1999. World Wide Web: http://www.nationaltownwatch.org/ Clearinghouse staff are available nno.html Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to The Bureau of Justice Assistance 7:30 p.m. eastern time. Ask to be For more information about the is a component of the Office of placed on the BJA mailing list. Justice Programs, which also Bureau of Justice Assistance includes the Bureau of Justice Practitioner Perspectives Series, Statistics, the National Institute contact: of Justice, the Office of Juvenile Bureau of Justice Assistance Justice and Delinquency 810 Seventh Street NW. Prevention, and the Office Washington, DC 20531 for Victims of Crime. 202–514–5947

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