Neighbors come out in force for 2024 National Night Out
National Night Out has been around for decades, but it’s still creating new friendships and community partnerships in Taylor.
On Oct. 1, neighborhood associations, community organizations and individuals fired up their grills, pulled out the corn-hole tosses and passed out free T-shirts, as they hosted their annual National Night Out block parties around the city — allowing neighbors, members of law enforcement and other officials to meet one another face to face.
“This is a good way for people to come out and get to know each other,” said Yohan Baek, the pastor of First United Methodist Church of Taylor, at its block party near West Lake Drive. “During the pandemic, there was a tendency to hibernate, which creates loneliness and causes other problems ... This is one of the ways for people to come out and get healed.”
National Night Out is a nationwide effort that began in Philadelphia in 1984 to promote partnerships between police and community members and to foster goodwill among neighbors, according to officials.
District 2 Councilwoman Shelli Cobb, who worships at FUMC, said NNO is more vital than ever in today’s polarized political climate.
“Our oldest son is a state trooper, so this is a very important event to us,” Cobb said. “In this day and time, with so much division, I think it’s important for everyone to be able to come together, no matter what their political philosophies are … and share in fellowship and celebrate the wonderful sacrifices made by our first responders.”
As the FUMC group sat in lawn chairs, munching on hot dogs and chatting, Police Officer John Hamby and other members of law enforcement stopped by on their way to more than a dozen block parties around the city.
“This means you work under my badge,” Hamby said to Scott Edwardsen, 3, as he handed him a shiny silver sticker. “You are a junior officer.” Fire Department Chief Daniel Baum and Assistant Chief Robert Copeland also made the rounds.
“It’s good for all public safety and public officials to go in the neighborhoods and meet with the public,” Baum said. “Really, the focus of National Night Out is for neighbors looking out for neighbors, looking out for themselves, and we are here to support that.”
On Howard Street, about a dozen neighbors and other visitors had also stopped by the front-yard party of Alfonso and Anthony Cavazos-Geluso to snap photos with McGruff, the Crime Dog, chat and sip on cans of sparkling water.
“Finally, after threeplus years living here in our house, I was like, ‘Let’s make it at our house,’” said Alfonso Cavazos-Geluso. “I am kind of an excited person, and I enjoy gathering with my neighbors to talk. There are people here I have never talked with ever, so I am very happy and have goosebumps about it.”
Cavazos-Geluso said the couple’s “awesome neighbors” provided support with everything from lending card tables and folding chairs to party planning.
“Community makes things happen,” Cavzos-Geluso said. “This is love in action.”
