Austin Neighbors to Take Bite Out of Crime

Neighborhoods in Austin will join thousands of other communities throughout the country for the October edition of National Night Out, a crime awareness and prevention program.  The 27th National Night Out kicks off Tuesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at "The Grove" at Southpark Meadows, located at 9300 South I-35.

National Night Out increases crime awareness and prevention by acquainting neighbors with each other, community leaders with neighborhood watch leaders, and the police officers who patrol their streets.  Often times, support is strengthened through these personal introductions that helps people increase crime efforts.  Police say the night is important to send the message to others that your neighborhood is a safe place to live.

Neighborhoods are encouraged to come together and send the message that we are
all working together to prevent crime and keep our neighborhoods safe.  Starting at 6 p.m., residents are asked to turn on their porch lights, lock their doors and spend the evening outside with their neighbors, police officers, EMS, and fire fighters.  Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo will speak at 6:30 p.m. about the night and what it means to him as the leader of the Austin Police Department.

For the rest of the nation, National Night Out occurs in August.  Since Texas is so hot,
the event has been moved to October when it is cooler outside.