Unable to have large in-person events in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, several North San Antonio-area cities and neighborhoods will have National Night Out activities Oct. 5 to press the importance of public safety.
While most communities nationwide hold NNO events in August, Texans avoid the summer heat and wait until the first Tuesday in October to offer their anti-crime gatherings.
During such gatherings, local police representatives get together with local officials and neighborhood residents to share public safety tips and information on crime-fighting initiatives and efforts.
Such events often involve local firefighters and paramedics in a family-friendly setting.
Here are some of the public area NNO events lined up for Oct. 5:
- City of Shavano Park, 6 to 8 p.m., City Hall, 900 Saddletree Court: Shavano Park’s NNO celebration will include the announcement of winners of Blattman Elementary School’s recent fire safety contest. All posters will be displayed at City Hall. There also will be a visit from McGruff, the Crime Fighting Dog, food trucks, face painting, a balloon animal artist and other children’s happenings.
- Hollywood Park, 6-8 p.m., Voigt Center, 700 El Portal: Hollywood Park Community Association presents Hollywood Park’s official NNO event, where firefighters will provide free fire alarms while supplies last. Visitors can interact with local police officers, stop by an interactive planting garden sponsored by the Men’s Garden Club of San Antonio, and have a free oral cancer screening from dentist Dr. Erin McLendon. There will also be a visit by McGruff, the Crime Fighting Dog, a sidewalk art contest, giveaways from local businesses, informational displays from local city and private organizations, free refreshments, children’s activities and live music.
Additionally, multiple San Antonio and Bexar County homeowners associations are expected to have block parties.
The San Antonio Police Department’s San Antonio Neighbors Together program helps to promote police-community partnerships year-round.
The city of San Antonio will not be participating in in-person NNO events, but members of organizations such as the Encino Park Homeowners Association are expected to hand out goodie bags, and residents will be asked to turn on their porch lights at 7 p.m. Oct. 5 in a symbolic show of solidarity.
