Make it a night Out, more often

A couple weeks ago the 23rd National Night Out took place in our region, on the calendar if you noted the date and took part was Tuesday August 1st.

The initiative started as the National Town Watch Association began the annual event to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police partnerships and most importantly send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and we’re fighting back.

Hopefully you got a chance to sit on your front porch and take part.

There is a recent example in our area that criminals don’t go where there’s lots of activity going on. My parish, St. Isidore’s church, was recently robbed about a month ago, the culprit has been caught- you may have seen or heard about the story. While I love my new church, it is tucked away. While you and I would never think of hoisting a church, criminals aren’t nearly as noble minded and since no one was watching the crime could occur.

Our neighborhoods, towns and boroughs are ultimately our responsibility. Sure we have great police forces in Quakertown, Richland Township and the State Police but alone they can’t be everywhere all the time. There is more of us than there is law enforcement so we are all compelled to keep a watchful eye.

I have a theory as to why National Night out is only 23. 23 years ago puts us at the year 1983. Before the 80’s and as a kid growing up in the 70’s, National Night Out wasn’t an event it was more of a daily occurrence, at least when the weather cooperated. I’ve mentioned before I grew up in a neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia, Mayfair. On any given night we were all outside. We knew everyone and everyone knew us – the five of us, mom, dad, me and my brothers. If something happened during the day at school my folks knew about it before I got home. Depending on whether it was good or bad your reception upon arrival reflected the news. Stickball, pick up football games, street hockey, parents sitting and talking on their front steps ( we lived in a neighborhood of row homes so there really weren’t front porches as you see here ) and more took place on a regular basis. It was great. Neighborhoods had a great camaraderie, checked on seniors, exchanged recipes and war stories and developed a close knit relationship. The fellowship that developed not only kept away any bad elements but friendships were formed and families often made plans to do more together.

So what happened?

Have we progressed since 1983?

In this area sadly I don’t think so. Why? We all have a case of the disease affecting our nation almost to a man. I call it the ‘I’m too busy’ disease. I have it, maybe you or someone you know has it but it is pervasive and the bad elements that lurk around are quite glad we are all suffering the malady. I sometimes use my column to tell on myself so here I go again. I will many times be in the house in the early evening and afternoon when I could be outside, hanging out, talking with the neighborhood kids, maybe tossing a ball around. Why aren’t I? Why aren’t many of us? The best answer I can give you is I am doing something inside. Cooking, cleaning, paying bills. Nothing wrong with that but nothing is stopping me from taking a break, getting some fresh air and looking around the block I live on from time to time.

My new and next goal at home is to be out more, participate more and meet more people. This isn’t a strange concept as I noted earlier I saw it first hand for much of my young life. A few years ago State Police officers arrived at my home. Relax, no news here just my youngest accidentally dialing 911. In a flash the cops were at my place. False alarm and everyone went back to the business of the day. The police are a moment away. But it’s within life’s moments that are neighborhoods are made stronger or weaker. Get outside tonight, tomorrow too, start making it a habit. Look around, make introductions arguably there are probably some neighbors you may not know well or at all. Organize some fun stuff, back in the day we used to have ‘block parties’ – city streets cordoned off for neighbors to bring food and music outside for the day. It doesn’t have to be that organized or elaborate but get active. The bad guys are easily scared off. They see a crowd hanging out around a neighborhood, community or street often enough and they’ll take their act elsewhere.

If enough of us get doing it there won’t be any elsewhere and these sorry individuals might actually have to turn their attention to doing something useful. Imagine that. Make it a night out, more often and imagine what could happen.

See ‘ya around town.