The Arlington Police Department recently profiled the Emerald Park Neighborhood Watch in its latest edition of On Call, a community news publication shared on the department's website.
In this quiet, south Arlington neighborhood, residents watch out for one another. It's been this way since 1987 when a hand full of homeowners organized the Emerald Park Neighborhood Watch.
This is not your typical Arlington subdivision. Many of the people who live here are trained in crime prevention and safety. They have graduated from the Arlington Citizens Police Academy. Some are active members of Citizens On Patrol who enjoy what they do, working hand in hand with their beat officers to resolve issues before they become problems.
Emerald Park Crime Prevention Coordinator Patti Noe was one of the first neighbors. In the 1980s, theft at single-family home construction sites was on the rise. With fewer than 10 families on the block, one of the first thing neighbors did was organize a gathering on National Night Out to talk about solutions.
"This was an opportunity to get everyone together," Patti said. Today, with 99 homes, National Night Out continues to bring everyone in the Emerald Park Neighborhood together.
"National Night Out is a time to meet and greet new neighbors, rekindle friendships and show support for crime prevention and safety," Patti said. It's a night that Mike and Ruth Sabourin look forward to. "We've always been a very active neighborhood," she said. "And we love our first responders."
Ruth bakes homemade cookies for police districts and makes afghans for Dialysis patients. Her husband serves with the Arlington Clergy and Police Partnership and volunteers with the prison ministry as a chaplain. National Night Out is like a holiday. Close to 100 neighbors will turn on their porch lights and make their way to the 5400 block of Sapphire Court. Adults will bring their lawn chairs. Children will play together in the street. Officers will stop by to thank residents for their active participation and discuss any new safety concerns.
At a National Night Out planning meeting on Aug. 8 neighbors met up to go over their "To Do List." There's a task for everyone. Someone has to inventory the plates, napkins and cups. Ruth has to bake more cookies. Several are needed to put up large signage at the entrance, reminding everyone that National Night Out is Tuesday, Oct. 3.
The Emerald Park Neighborhood Watch is ready for National Night Out.
Visit www.Arlingtonpd.org to see more planning highlights from Emerald Park.
5 Reasons to Sign Up for National Night Out
- It's free!
- It's an excellent way to meet and connect with your neighbors.
- It's a fun way to stand up against crime.
- In October, several cities throughout Texas are celebrating at the same time as Arlington.
- Arlington is ranked No. 2 nationally in cities with a population over 360,000.
Related articles:
- New Neighborhood Watch Group Eager to Participate in National Night Out
- Register Your Neighborhood Now for National Night Out
National Night Out
News, Police, Public Safety