by Kristen Shepard
Staff Writer

Every year, many of the bustling neighborhoods that make up Coppell come together to celebrate their neighbors and talk about plans to improve their neighborhood. Appropriately named National Night Out, this country-wide event brings neighbors together for a fun-filled block party.

National Night Out in Coppell will be on Tuesday, October 2 this year. This is Coppell’s 21st year to celebrate NNO, and the turnout last year was incredible. This year, Coppell hopes to surpass participation and spread the word even more.

But this night is more than a party, National Night Out is intended to help decrease crime in neighborhoods by projecting the message that the neighborhood is bonding together to prevent crime. By neighbors agreeing to keep an eye out for and report any crime they come into contact with, criminals are discouraged from targetting their neighborhood. Neighborhoods that participate oftentimes have signs on street lamps and street signs that signify that they participate.

Specifically, National Night out targets drug and alcohol abuse, robberies, loitering, trespassing and other common crimes. For more information contact Coppell Police Officer R.J. Harr at 972-304-3625 or visit www.coppell.tx.gov.

Coppell information from www.ci.coppell.tx. National NNO information from www.nationaltownwatch.org.