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Blog Entry 43 of 51 Something to think about...

An occasional visit to things that make you go "hmmm..." opinions on life in the world close up and far away. By trade, I'm a community reporter covering Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys for the Daily News, but can't help thinking outside the box sometimes...in the spirit of full disclosure, I'm involved with the Canyon Theatre Guild and Newhall Redevelopment, so history and the arts are pretty important to me. I'm open to discussions, suggestions, criticisms and compliments. I might not like what you say, but I'll defend your right to say it. Shall we?

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Night Out sheds light on neighborhoods

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Contributed by: carol rock on 8/6/2007

You know you've been around a long time when you see a press release about an event in its 24th year and remember being involved the year it started.

I'm speaking of National Night Out, a crime prevention event that spreads the good word about police-community partnerships and being aware of your surroundings.
Back in the day, it was an event where Neighborhood Watch block captains encouraged all of their neighbors to turn on their porch lights and step outside to get better acquainted.

If nothing else, it was a one-night stand that let the bad guys know that they weren't welcome into our little corners of paradise. Over the years, events evolved into block parties and barbecues, new friends were made, car pools were established and people started caring more about the people who lived on their streets. Drug houses disappeared; kids hanging out on the corner moved to where people didn't stare at them and property values soared. Life was good and we all had each other to thank.

Anyone questioning the value of a neighborhood watch group need only ask someone who lived through the 1994 earthquake. Some people owe their survival to their neighbors who pulled out wrenches to turn off gas and mops to help clean up.

But somewhere along the path, the community event people seized the opportunity to make National Night Out just another big gathering, circling every emergency vehicle not in service like so many red, black and white Conestoga wagons around a core of pop-up tents, face painters and McGruff the Crime Dog.

In Santa Clarita, the gathering is at the sheriff's station on Magic Mountain Parkway. In Lancaster, they're hoping to fill Clear Channel Stadium, where block captains will take over the JetHawks playing field for a pickup softball game.

"Come to the gathering" the event people call, clearing neighborhoods of their inhabitants and leaving empty homes ripe for the picking.

Not quite the crime prevention event anymore, is it?

Crime prevention is what you make it, not just another venture to the police or fire station for a tour or bag of popcorn. Neighborhood Watch still works on a block-to-block level, even if it's not officially sanctioned. It's just like grandma taught us; be nice to your neighbors and watch out for them and they'll take care of you.

If you see something you suspect, talk to the people around you. Isn't it better to know the name of that person who waves at you when you drive by? What would you do if you had an emergency and you needed someone quicker than the sheriff could respond? Wouldn't it be nice if you knew the neighbor who lives across the street?

Knowing your neighbor is as important as having a good homeowners insurance policy. What about the senior citizen couple who live three doors up from you? If you don't see them for a few days, would you check on them or know who to call in their family? If you were at work and someone was breaking into your house, wouldn't you rather get a call from a quick-thinking neighbor telling you there was a patrol car in your driveway instead of getting a visit at the office from someone in uniform?

Of course, you should call the police or fire departments when there is a real emergency, but both of those departments appreciate the public being their eyes and ears - it helps everybody out in the long run. If you want some help getting organized into an official Neighborhood Watch group, the sheriff's department is there to help you; call the Santa Clarita Station (661) 255-1121, Lancaster Station at (661) 940-3830 or Palmdale Station at (661) 272-2400.

But if you go to one of the big community events tonight, remember to turn on the porch light.

Oh, and leave at least one person home, just in case someone knocks on the door. It might be a neighbor wanting to get to know you better.

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