Give Neighborhood Crime and Drugs a Going Away Party!
 
On October 2, residents in Anderson Mill are encouraged to participate in the 29th Annual National Night Out (NNO) Texas crime prevention event by joining with their neighbors, people throughout Austin, and thousands of others around the state to promote crime prevention, neighborhood unity, and police-community partnerships.  A variety of events including ‘block parties’ will bring people together in a casual, fun way to become better acquainted, strengthen neighborhood spirit, and get information about how to protect themselves, their children, and their property.  The Anderson Mill Neighborhood Association and Anderson Mill Limited District are supporting and promoting these NNO activities.
 
It is easy for YOU to take part in this important event by hosting a ‘block party’ on your street – you can invite your closest neighbors or the entire block.  The goal is to get to know your neighbors, communicate what is happening on your street and how you can help each other.  Your party can be simple, with a few activities and light snacks, or you can create a larger event tailored to your neighbors.  Guidance is available from those who have held block parties before to give tips to first-timers.  From 7:00 to 9:00 pm, residents are asked to lock their doors, turn on their outside lights, and spend the evening outdoors with their neighbors to send a message to criminals that citizens are involved in keeping our area safe.
 
AMLD and AMNA will provide instructions, ideas, invitation and registration forms, give-aways, and safety brochures to residents who have block parties.  The Austin Police Department will supply posters and other items for block parties.  Sponsorships from area merchants are being requested to support our Anderson Mill parties.  Visits at block parties by police officers, sheriff’s deputies, EMS, and fire fighters can be requested and are always a big hit with kids of all ages – who doesn’t want to climb on a fire truck?!
 
The large turnout for our first-ever Neighborhood Day this spring was a great indicator that residents from all over Anderson Mill enjoy getting together and becoming acquainted – it was a good step in building neighborhood relationships.  Holding NNO block parties to bring folks together in smaller groups can extend those relationships and help strengthen our neighborhood ties.
 
To receive your NNO packet with instructions, ideas, City of Austin registration form, and invitation form, you can download it from the link on the left,  www.national townwatch.org or call the AMLD office at 258-4104.  The deadline for submitting the application is September 14.  Register your party online at www.austintexas.gov/police (scroll down to ‘click here to register for NNO 2012') OR fill out the registration form in the packet and send to APD. If you’d like to get some tips on holding your block party from a resident who has done them on her street, you can email susan@amtrails.org.  Hosting an NNO block party is a great way to spend time with neighbors and friends as well as to help foster a safer environment for our families.