Plan ahead for National Night Out
By: Staff 06/01/2006
The theme of this year’s National Night Out – Join the Tradition, reflects the commitment Minneapolis residents have made to celebrate safety and community with their neighbors for the past 22 years. National Night Out (NNO) is the largest community-building, crime prevention event in the world and you can join the fun right there in your own backyard or on your street by creating a block party. In 2005 there were more than 840 block parties in Minneapolis, this year’s event is on Tuesday, August 1.
NNO is based on a set of simple ideas: Get to know your neighbors. Spend some time with them in a social setting and break down barriers to isolation. See familiar, friendly faces and create a better, safer place to live for you and your family. When there’s an issue on your block that needs to be resolved—the need for a speed bump, dealing with an unsightly house or signs of criminal behavior - it’s easier and more effective to deal with it when more neighbors and the block are involved.
Registration is free. Register your block party by Tuesday, July 11, and be eligible to win a door prize for give away at your NNO celebrations. Register at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/nno or call 311 (612-673-3000). Those blocks that register will receive vouchers for Minnesota Twins tickets and can request a complimentary packet of materials, including reminder door hangers, nametags, child/teen ID cards and coloring sheets for children. CCP/SAFE is a unit of the Minneapolis Police Department
You must apply separately for a permit to close off your street or alley. The permit application is available at www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/events-management or call 311 (612-673-3000). The City Council voted to waive the customary fee for applications submitted by July 18, however a $100 late fee applies between July 19 and 27. The fee is meant to encourage blocks to apply early, in order to prevent the small administrative staff from being overwhelmed with applications at the last minute. Applications won’t be accepted after July 27.
National Night Out Planning Week is June 12-18. Schedule a planning meeting with your neighbors soon! Discuss the type of event your block wants to hold, identify what needs to be done and decide who will make it happen. Sharing the work makes it easier to handle and everyone can have a lot more fun. If your block doesn’t currently have a block club, NNO is a great opportunity for neighbors to create their own celebration and could be the starting point for a new block club. For info call 311 (612-673-3000) or visit www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/nno.