Safe Streets is about to embark on its 25th year of National Night Out in the Topeka/Shawnee County community! This annual event, which will be held Saturday, August 7, brings neighborhoods together to connect with one another and local law enforcement. The simple act of getting to know your neighbors is the best form of crime prevention.
In Shawnee County, neighborhoods are encouraged to hold individual events on August 7. As of late June, there were nearly 50 neighborhoods registered! Neighborhoods activities vary – some may host an ice-cream social, cookout, pot luck dinner or a pool party. Some events are smaller with around 25 people, and others are larger with more than 300 attending.
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In 2019, Topeka/Shawnee County ranked 5th in the nation for cities of comparable size, for our National Night Out events. Due to COVID-19, National Night Out could not be held in 2020, but many are excited to get together this year.
NNO event is coordinated through Safe Streets in partnership with local law enforcement including the Topeka Police Department, Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office, Shawnee County District Attorney’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, Topeka Fire Department and with area businesses, including Evergy, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Federal Home Loan Bank, Topeka Credit Union Foundation, Reser’s, Hy-Vee, Shawnee County Parks and Rec, Dillon’s, Frito Lay and many others.
To find out if your neighborhood has National Night Out plans, contact Safe Streets at 785.266.4606 or email Judy at jwilson@safestreets.org. You don’t need to have a neighborhood organization to host an event.
For a list of neighborhood events for 2021, click here.
Safe Streets, a program of Prevention and Resiliency Services, is a local crime prevention and substance abuse prevention organization in Topeka.
Safe Streets wants neighbors to talk and get to know one another – this plays a huge role in making our community safer. Contact Safe Streets for more information or to register your neighborhood by calling 785-266-4606. You can also email Judy Wilson at jwilson@safestreets.org.
–Lee Hartman | Metro Voice
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