Boise Looking For Block Parties For National Night Out

BOISE, ID — A visit from police and fire personnel in a neighbor is usually cause for alarm. On August 3, the visits will be cause for a large block party and a chance to get to know those serving us on a personal basis.

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The City of Boise is preparing for National Night Out and is currently looking for organizations willing to host block parties around the city.

What National Night Out Does

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships

Along with the traditional display of outdoor lights and front porch vigils, cities, towns and neighborhoods 'celebrate' NNO with a variety of events and activities such as:

• block parties,
• cookouts,
• visits from local police, fire fighters, paramedics, and city officials.

NNO has proven to be an effective, inexpensive and enjoyable program to promote neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships in our fight for a safer nation.

Why Host a Block Party

Hosting a block party for National Night Out is not only a great way to bring your neighbors' together, but it is also:

• An excuse to have fun.
• An opportunity to meet your neighbors. When a neighborhood is more familiar with each other, the more likely they are to identify strangers or suspicious activity.
• Increases the sense of belonging in a neighborhood.
• Makes additional connections within the community - make plans to organize a book club, create a babysitting co-op, or find new friends for your children.
• Allows the neighborhood to use the street for a day for sports and other activities, like hockey, basketball and other games.
• Gives a starting point to have a yearly neighborhood tradition.

Get Started:

There are a few things to get lined up before you host a block party:

• A couple of months in advance, talk to neighbors and find out if there is interest in having a block party.
• Gather a few neighbors and divide up the tasks. Decide on a possible theme, activities, etc. Decide what to do about food.
• Make the invitations and distribute to neighbors.
• Recruit volunteers.
• Register your event with your local police department.
• A few days before the event, place sign(s) in the neighborhood reminding the neighbors of the block party.

To sign up or for more information, visit here.

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