More Than Meeting Neighbors at Night Out

From barbecues to potluck dessert gatherings, and in pockets around our community, Dixonites enjoyed meeting neighbors at the . Some turnouts have evolved into block-long street fairs with a huge grill such as the one that has been going on since the event’s inception on Sierra Drive and coordinated by Ray and Yvonne McCluskey. Others were just sprouting, like the one across town on Sycamore that was organized as an evening of desserts.

All achieved the same goal: They met their neighbors. According to last year’s records, 37 million people in 15,000 communities across the United States and at military bases across the world who participated in National Night Out.

“Our number one purpose is meeting new neighbors but number two is [establishing] a comfort level,” said Yvonne McCluskey who is also the Neighborhood Watch Captain there. “We care about our neighbors and about each other. We might not see him or her that often—sometimes you might just wave but as a whole, this works out for everybody. It helps to keep an eye out and be aware and be alert,” she said.

The McCluskeys and other long-time neighbors invite residents who have recently moved in, to “acquaint them with the neighborhood,” Yvonne said. They’re encouraged to bring a potluck dish and join them outside for grilled hotdogs and soft drinks which Ramos Oil, Ray’s employer, furnishes. They use their time to get to know each other better but also to discuss issues that may have come up in the neighborhood and what they can do about it.

This achieves another goal to participation that’s promoted as a crime-fighting tactic. If you know your neighbors, you might also know who isn’t supposed to be in the neighborhood.

“We usually have a great turn out,” said Yvonne. Rich Hardy, who lives at the opposite end of the block with his wife, Jan, agrees that this kind of thing helps the safety of the neighborhood. He would know—the Hardys have lived there since the house was built and have participated in the program since the beginning.

“We’re the stalwarts of the block and I think anything helps,” he said. The neighbors take turn ‘hosting’ in their front yards and now get special visits from Crime fighter McGruff, the large dog mascot of the Dixon Police Department, and even a fire truck.

“We need to work together as a community with law enforcement to have an even greater awareness,” said Dixon Police Chief Jon Cox, who cited reductions in state parole and probation. He said residents could help police by reporting suspicious activity, which they would be able to recognize if they know their neighborhood.

Apple crisp and fresh, cut up watermelon along with lemonade was the treats for a gathering on Sycamore.

“I think this is really great and we have to do it again next year,” said Rose Koogler who joined her 1-year-old daughter on a blanket and visited with several neighbors including Kayla and Hillary Burley. Neighbors came and went for brief visits while others stayed into dark chatting away.

For more information on National Night Out, contact the at (707) 678-7070 or e-mail Elaine Perry at eperry@ci.dixon.ca.us

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