Kyle neighbors spent a night out in their front yards reaffirming their commitment to keeping their neighborhoods safe as part of National Night Out (NNO) on Tuesday, October 4th.NNO is billed as "America's Night Out Against Crime" and is designed to involve citizens, public safety agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials to come together and talk about crime and drug prevention at the neighborhood level.
The Kyle Police Department made a special effort this year to reach out to all the neighborhoods to offer visits from the department and city officials upon requests. The effort paid off with visits to 17 NNO block parties attended by more then 600 people.
Mayor Johnson rode along with officers to visit the various parties while other council members attended parties on their own.
New crime prevention and community policing programs will be put into effect later this year as the Kyle Police Department brings it's staffing level up to its full complement of officers. Specially trained officers will be assigned to coordinate community crime watch groups, conduct citizen police academies, and assist homeowners and businesses and protect their property by conducting security and safety inspections throughout the year.
In all, 30 police officers, included Chief Barnett, Captain Pedro Hernandez, numerous Sergeants, Detectives and Officers, along with non-sworn staff members attended the parties. Also joining the NNO efforts this year were Deputy Jeff Jordan and Deputy Brandy Reuter of the Hays County Sheriff's Office, Kyle Fire, San Marcos/Hays County EMS, and Hays County Animal Control.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to:
- Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
- Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
- Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
- Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
