National Night Out continues to grow
Posted: 8/8/02
by Brett Andersen
Staff Writer
More than 33 million people worldwide were expected to participate in the National Night Out event held Aug. 6. About 225 of them were at Pennock Park in Apple Valley.
The five-block party was likely the single largest of the cityís 67 registered parties. Debbie Miller, who led the bashís six-person organizational team, said they hand-delivered 88 invitations to households.
The Bloomington-based rock/blues band "Squishy Mud" headlined the event, which featured a potluck-style feast, a raffle with gift certificates from several area businesses and a childrenís decorated bike parade complete with prizes.
"We worked on (planning the event) a month or two," said Miller.
She said this year is the largest turnout mainly due to the consolidation of five block parties. This year is the seventh time Regent Drive ó Millerís home turf ó has participated in National Night Out, but the first year for the conglomerate "party in the park."
"A good time was had by all," she said.
A noise complaint was phoned into the Apple Valley Police Department at 10 p.m. as the band was finishing up, said Miller.
Several local officials ó who had left well before 10 p.m., according to Miller ó visited the party as well as several others, including Apple Valley Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland, Police Chief Scott Johnson, Fire Chief Keith Wassmund and Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom, who joined Squishy Mud for a rendition of Elvis Presleyís "Burning Love."
"Iíve been known to sing a tune now and again," said Backstrom, "mostly Elvis." He also performed for the Lakeville Senior Center that morning.
Backstrom said National Night Out events have "increased significantly" in the last five or six years. He said it was "exciting" to see large numbers of people turn out for the event and that National Night Out was a step toward recapturing the community involvement America has lost in the last few decades.
Backstrom, Johnson and Apple Valley Crime Prevention Specialist Pam Walters agreed the strength of the event was getting neighbors together and interested in each other.
"To me, thatís what neighborhood watch is all about," said Walters.
"Thatís how we can reduce crime in our country," said Backstrom.
"Itís not the 48 men and women we have driving down the street," said Johnson, "but the 48,000 eyes and ears in the community that deter crime."
Johnson said National Night Out was a return to a time when front porches were where people lived and they got to know their neighbors. As suburban development ó and air conditioning ó became more popular, front porches disappeared and rear decks and privacy fences appeared and neighborhoods became less connected.
He called it "common sense" that if neighbors know who is supposed to be in their neighborhoods and who isnít, crime would decrease. He said it was encouraging to see the growth of the event in the city.
"Apple Valley has a great sense of community," he said.
According to Miller, National Night Out has had a positive effect on her community.
"We all watch out for each other," she said.
National Night Out, now in itís 19th year, aims to increase crime and drug awareness, generate support for local anti-crime efforts, including neighborhood watch, and strengthen community spirit as well as police-community partnerships.
This year Apple Valley registered 67 evening gatherings through Waltersí office, up from 58 the year before.
"Itís almost more than we can handle," said Walters.
She said police representatives didnít get to visit every party, partially because of the high number of events and also because several officers attended services for slain Minneapolis police officer Melissa Schmidt and didnít return in time to participate in local events.
National Night Out is not strictly a night-time event, however. The Apple Valley Senior Center opened the celebration with a 9 a.m. gathering featuring a speech by Johnson. The annual Business Watch picnic attracted 124 people for a grilled lunch and the afternoon was spent at the Apple Valley Villa senior home. The evening parties then started between 5 and 6 p.m.
Police Capt. Merle Lohse said, "All the parties were great."
He said some concerns were raised over traffic speed, volumes and parking, but no major incidents were reported.
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