Portlanders party to fight crime

Tuesday’s National Night Out gives neighbors a chance to connect

By Jim Redden

The Portland Tribune, Aug 3, 2009, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Thousands of Portlanders are expected to gather at neighborhood parties Tuesday as part of the 26th Annual National Night Out.

The parties — which are held from July 28 to Aug. 9 — are intended to fight crime by building relationships between neighborhoods, communities and public safety agencies.

“National Night Out is a great opportunity to connect and re-connect with neighbors, and a way to send a message that the street, block, or neighborhood where you live is a place where neighbors look out for one another,” said Amalia Alarcon de Morris, director of the Office of Neighborhood Involvement, which is helping coordinate the local activities.

According to de Morris, more than 17,000 Portlanders are expected to attend more than 160 parties scheduled around the city. There are more than 160 parties happening across the city. Some are large neighborhood gatherings in city parks, while others are smaller block parties, barbeques and ice cream socials.

Most of the parties — around 118 — are set for Tuesday, Aug. 4. These parties are chance for residents to learn more about how to fight crime. Many will be attended by representatives of the Portland Police Bureau, Portland Fire & Rescue, the Office of Emergency Management, the Bureau of Parks and Recreation, the Bureau of Development Services, ONI’s Crime Prevention Program and other partnering agencies and nonprofit organizations.

“It’s a marvelous and fun way to get neighbors in an area out to meet one another, especially when you have new families,” says Dave Hillman, a National Night Out party host in the Mount Tabor neighborhood and leader of a foot patrol. “It’s also a great way to meet and interact with police and fire. Last year they joined the kids for a game of soccer.”

National organizers expect about 37 million people to participate in more than 15,000 communities across the United States, Canada and military bases.

Portlanders can find a party in their area at www.portlandonline.com/oni/nno .

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