Press release
On Tuesday, Oct. 6, from 6-8 p.m., Gun Barrel City will welcome all of its neighborhoods throughout the city to join forces with thousands of other communities nationwide for the 32nd Annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event. According to Linda Rankin, National Night Out Local Chairman, this year the Gun Barrel City Property Owners Associations from several neighborhoods will be on hand at Gun Barrel City Park Pavilion to discuss their neighborhood crime problems and assist the citizens in finding out what is going on in their part of the community. Suggestions on how to fight crime will be a key topic.
From 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 6, residents in neighborhoods throughout Gun Barrel City are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police. It is a chance for the police and citizens to show their partnership and involvement to fight crime.
National Night Out is designed to: 1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; 2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts; 3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community partnerships; and 4) Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
This year, Gun Barrel City’s National Night Out has increased its efforts to bring awareness to the community of the many organizations available to assist with all emergencies and critical situations. Groups such as the American Red Cross, ETMC, Henderson County Drug Awareness Program, Victim Relief Ministries, East Texas Crisis Center, Grace House, Chapman House, MADD, Alcohol Recovery Association, Henderson County Sheriff’s Department along with the GBC Fire Department and Police Department will be on hand with information on how to get assistance when needed.
According to Rankin, “This is an event for everyone, including the children. There will be fun activities for the children such as camel rides, a bicycle give-away from wisperbikes.com, face painting, build-a-truck projects presented by Lowes Home Improvement Store, children firemen hats while they last, and a chance to sit in a fire truck or police car. Most importantly, the police department will have fingerprint kits available for the parents to fingerprint their children and provide necessary information to the police should a child be abducted.”
This year, due to the increase in violence against law enforcement officers, the National Night Out committee has made a special effort to show their support to all law enforcement departments and will be handing out “Back the Blue” wrist bracelets. “The law enforcement officers assist the community fearlessly every day and it is a chance for each citizen to show their thanks and support for all they do.” said Rankin.
“Donations to the local police department are always welcomed and used to provide better equipment for the officers.”
Free hot dogs and drinks will also be available and the event should be a great time for everyone.