Police encourage Night Out on the town
"We've got (St. Louis County Executive) Charlie Dooley coming at 6:30 p.m.," Mitchell said excitedly last week, reading off a long list of guests, sponsors and activities planned for the event.
The subdivision in unincorporated St. Louis County, along with neighborhoods throughout the county and nation, will celebrate the 25th annual Night Out on Tuesday.National Night Out is a way to heighten crime awareness, generate support for law enforcement, and strengthen neighborhood and police partnerships.
Residents are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend an evening together with neighbors and police. The results often are a series of block parties and events, often planned with the cooperation of police.
But Portland Lake takes the idea of a block party a little further than most participants.
The event will be from 6 to 9 p.m. at Debridge Way Circle, behind Hazelwood North Middle School.
It will feature food and refreshments, a basketball tournament, booths featuring local companies, entertainment and more. Companies such as Krispy Kreme, Grey Eagle Distributors Inc. and Gold's Gym are involved, she said.
The subdivision has invited nearby Barrington Downs subdivision to participate. More than 300 people may attend this year's event, Mitchell said. The subdivision has participated in National Night Out for the last eight years.
Meanwhile, other local celebrations will be a little more low key.
In Ferguson, organizers at a dozen locations have indicated they would participate as of last week, said Public Safety Director Thomas Moonier. That number was expected to rise, he said.
Most involve neighborhood groups who meet in a yard or even on a porch. Some have cookouts, some potluck dinners.
Moonier said it's a chance for neighbors to get to know each other and socialize.
It strengthens bonds in neighborhoods and helps keep out crime.
"It's just watching out for each other," said Sgt. Kevin Boschert of the Florissant Police Department.
Boschert said the city normally has as many as 28 block parties or events. The city also is encouraging participation by apartment complexes this year.
Boschert said a block party permit is required to host a party. The permit, free of charge, allows streets to be closed during the block party, except for emergency traffic. The permits can be obtained from Florissant City Hall or downloaded from http://www.florissantmo.com. At the Web site, under the city government link, click "Permits" and then "Recreational Permits."
Boschert also can be reached at 314-830-6042.
But not all communities are participating - largely because of hot weather this time of year.
Dellwood City Administrator Tom Zak said his city isn't participating this year because many residents don't want to have block parties in the summer heat.
"It doesn't matter if you live in Michigan, it does in the Midwest," he said.
Some communities have opted to move National Night Out events into the fall, when temperatures are cooler.
