National Night Out is designed to:
1) Heighten awareness of crime and drug prevention
2) Generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs
3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community relations
4) Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Getting Stronger and Growing
Over the years WICS has continued to encourage the community and individuals in the area to make a stand for what is good and right. It is a concept that is especially hard for some of our young people to grasp. They are inundated with the media portrayals of "bad cops" and have developed an unhealthy attitude that crime is "cool" or that it is "nerdy" to be a good citizen. NNO and the programs and events that share the same philosophy have gone a long way towards embracing the community and teaching them that a safer community starts with personal standards of good behavior and voluntary compliance with the law. It lets them digest the concept that we shouldn't just obey the "letter of the law" because we don't like unpleasant consequences but that we should learn to love the "spirit of the law" which calls all persons to respect and treat each other the way we would all like to be treated.
The City of Houston first participated in NNO in 1985. Since that time the Houston/Harris County area has been awarded national awards for "#1 Best Participation", the "All Stars Award", and "Outstanding Participation."
Women In Community Service Inc.has been participating since 1995. That year our community won the "First Time Participant Award" and the City of Houston "All Star Award" was presented to the event coordinator for the neighborhood and WICS Chair R.Ames. Several other members of the community have received additional awards and recognition for their NNO efforts over the years.
National Night Out is held every year on the second Tuesday in August. It is made up of neighbors in EVERY type of community - small neighborhoods of wood frame houses, large apartment complexes in the city, a one block area of townhomes, a cul-de-sac of five houses, a lemonade stand at the crossroads, the church at the corner, the Senior Citizens Center downtown, a 30 story building of co-workers, a cluster of mobile homes or just two neighbors sitting on the front porch swing, getting to know each other and discussing issues and concerns about crime.
Crime's best friend is people who don't talk to each other and don't look out for each other. Crime wants you to be suspicious of EVERYBODY. Crime wants to steal one of your most valuable and prized possessions - your SECURITY. Crime wants you to think that you are helpless and are just someone destined to be a victim. Don't believe that lie. You have at your disposal hundreds and thousands of people working in just about every segment of society that are concerned with your health and welfare and want to teach you and show you how to become "empowered" to live your life with dignity and purpose.
Make plans to participate in the next Natonal Night Out or make plans to hold your own. You may be surprised at the outcome!
See Ya There!!