Neighbors mingle with neighbors
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Thousands of people mingled in their neighborhoods Tuesday night as part of an annual National Night Out party.
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The event is billed as a way to increase crime awareness. It gives neighbors a chance to take a stand together against crime.
Madison Pitsenbarger enjoyed a slice of watermelon Tuesday at the North Brainerd Neighborhood Association's National Night Out held at Gregory Park in Brainerd. For more photos from the various Night Out events, check out the Spotted gallery at brainerddispatch.com. Brainerd Dispatch/Sara Gardner» Purchase reprints of this photo.
But some communities are taking part in a new event instead. It's called Night to Unite. That event was formed out of concerns about how Night Out funds were spent.
So far, most communities, including Minneapolis, St. Paul and Eagan, are sticking with the 26-year-old Night Out program. This year, 957 Minnesota communities signed up for Night Out, compared to 1,362 last year.
Jess Feierabend of Shwiky Meats was the carver at the pig roast during the National Night Out at Lum Park in Brainerd Tuesday. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey» Purchase reprints of this photo.
Some organizers say the name of the event doesn't matter, as long as neighbors are coming together and developing safe communities.