Annual National Night Out celebration brings neighbors together

Hamburgers and hot dogs will be grilled and games will be played across Plano Tuesday night when residents gather to celebrate National Night Out.

The annual event allows residents to get to know their neighbors and enjoy each other's company. While the event may seem like its all fun and games, the camaraderie built during the celebration has another benefit: helping reduce crime throughout the city.

"In a community where you have people moving in and out, you sometimes don't have the opportunity to meet your neighbor and know more about them," said Officer David Tilley, Plano PD spokesman. "... When we get to know someone, we usually make a better effort to watch out for their property when they are gone."

Plano PD has 342 police officers who are sworn to protect the 260,000 residents. Since the officers can't be everywhere at once, the department needs help in combating crime throughout the city, Tilley said.

"We depend on our community to report suspicious activity, suspicious vehicles and suspicious persons," Tilley said. "Many times when we get these calls it turns out to be someone who is at a residence that is not allowed to be there."

One of the largest National Night Out events in Plano is put on by the Kings Ridge Homeowners Association. The residents of Plano's westernmost neighborhood have celebrated the night for the past seven years with a parade and neighborhood cookout.

Bill Kula, the HOA's communications chairman, said the event drew 325 residents last year and he hopes this year will draw even more.

"National Night Out to Kings Ridge is more than a one evening affair," Kula said. "It is all about community, safety and building camaraderie with neighbors. We have established a very close relationship with the Plano police and they have helped to spread the word about calling upon your neighbors to be the eyes and ears of your neighborhood."

While he doesn't have any proof, Kula said he believes crime has been reduced in Kings Ridge due to the relationships formed at National Night Out. He added that a number of Kings Ridge residents work from home so the neighborhood is watched during normal business hours when many residents are at the office.

"We may not carry a badge, but we feel that it is important for us to alert neighbors when there has been suspicious activity," he said. "We routinely send out electronic notices whenever there has been suspicious activity or when vehicles are spotted in our neighborhood that maybe shouldn't be here."

As Kings Ridge prepares for its eighth National Night Out celebration, Kula said he urged residents who live in neighborhoods that don't participate in the event to urge their HOAs to get involved.

"National Night Out has reinforced for us the importance of being vigilant against crime 365 days a year," Kula said. "... We are committed to National Night Out and believe that our neighborhood serves as a model for what other neighborhoods can do."

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