National Night Out set for Tuesday at Ag Heritage Park

Going back to 1970, NNO started in the western suburbs of Philadelphia by a man named Matt. Matt volunteered for his local watch program. Quickly realizing there was no shared network to connect with other community watch programs, he established the National Association of Town Watch in 1981. This association was founded to provide information, resources and assets to community watch groups. It also boosted support with local law enforcement.

To further support community involvement, NATW started National Night Out in August of 1984. Beginning with neighbors turning on their lights and sitting on their porches, 2.5 million neighbors across 23 states joined in on this first NNO. This night grew over the years to include block parties, cookouts and city celebrations. Now, various forms of this event take place all over the country.

Auburn Public Safety previously held a similar event in partnership with the Auburn Housing Authority, but it had taken place in October, and only in certain neighborhoods. 

Although beneficial, there was more this event could give. Assistant Auburn Police Chief Clarence Stewart saw there was an opportunity to expand the event to the entire community, while still keeping the October event as well. This was a way to show all of Auburn the resources Public Safety has to offer, and the chance to interact with one another in a fun, family friendly environment.

“It’s really about us getting out there, not for people just to meet us, but to meet their neighbors, too,” said Stewart. 

Stewart has been working with City of Auburn Public Relations Specialist Sidney Hancock, and together they have recruited an extensive list of stakeholders to participate in the event. In the future, they are hoping to recruit more of the university community. Although students are not always deeply involved in city matters, Stewart insists that events like these are beneficial to improve positive relationships between students and public safety. 

This event is for more than just building relationships with public safety officers. NNO also serves as an opportunity to meet other stakeholders and be able to put a name to a face. It also allows neighbors to have face-to-face conversations with many names they have only heard in passing, reinforcing the idea of Auburn being this friendly village, a village that puts community at the forefront. 

“I know we’re growing, but I don’t ever want to grow to the point to feel like … I don’t care if we have 70,000 people or 150,000 people, it’s still a village,” said Stewart. 

By maintaining inclusivity, honesty and vulnerability, Stewart believes that even with the growing community, these traits coupled with events like National Night Out will maintain the “village” like feel of Auburn. 

“We’re all here together working towards a common goal, and that common goal is for all of us to have the best of whatever it is that we want for our children and for our families,” he said.

Activities were specifically created with the family atmosphere in mind. In addition to the free food and a meet-and-greet with Auburn school resource officers, there will be a Touch-a-Truck display, an Auburn Police K-9 demonstration, Auburn Fire Department fire education, face painting, giveaways, and even a photo opportunities with Sparky the Fire Dog and McGruff the Crime Dog. 

Included in the Touch-a-Truck are various vehicles, including a fire truck, police cars, motorcycles and the new MRAP vehicle. Each vehicle will have information displayed about their purpose within the Police or Fire Department. 

Auburn Public Safety is hoping to use this first NNO as a “trial run” to improve on in the future.

To learn more about National Night Out, visit natw.org, and for event inquires email Sidney Hancock at shancock@auburnalabama.org.