Aftermath Community Celebrates National Night Out 2015

National Night Out is a nationwide celebration held on the first Tuesday in August each year; this week, Aftermath employees across the country turned on their porch lights, locked their doors, and took to the streets to share the evening with their neighbors. The purpose of National Night Out is to give the community an opportunity to get together. According to organizers, knowing and communicating with neighbors is an incredibly effective crime fighting strategy. It also gives police and other first responders the chance to interact with residents in a positive, relaxed environment. Neighbors can share concerns in an informal setting and emergency service workers provide helpful tips to prevent crime.

A History of NNO

The National Association of Town Watch introduced the NNO event in 1984. Also known as “America’s Night Out Against Crime,” National Night Out has now spread to other countries. According to one website, over 30 million people participated last year.

For many Aftermath employees, National Night Out is a long-standing tradition. “My family does National Night Out every year since I was born,” says Elizabeth Engler, a field technician with the Allentown, PA Office. She is joined in this photo by her mother and their neighborhood friend, Bonnie.

National Night Out Events

NNO events depend on the neighborhood. Some residents host block parties complete with games, activities, and booths for local businesses. BBQs, ice cream socials, and pot luck dinners are also popular. Other residents like to plan their events in nearby parks, gathering to socialize while their children play. Local police, firefighters and emergency personnel may also make a visit in their response vehicles, showing off a equipment, chatting with residents, and sharing useful information with residents.

This year, Ronald Rutt and a few of the Aftermath Colorado Office technicians joined a local NNO gathering in a neighborhood apartment complex. A former volunteer firefighter, Rutt is familiar with the benefits associated with National Night Out events. In addition to enjoying conversation and food, Rutt and his team took photos, viewable in this article. Ronald is the man sporting the shades!

The Aftermath Community

Aftermath Services is proud to be an active part of many communities throughout the country. Wherever we have an office, we have employees who are dedicated to helping their neighbors – whether that means providing professional cleanup assistance after a traumatic event, participating in a food or charity drive, or just looking out for one another. While this year’s NNO is over, consider talking to your neighbors about creating your own NNO event next year. Visit the National Night Out website for activity ideas, photos, and tips about how to make your community safer.

To learn more about the Aftermath community and our participation in charity and other community events, check out our community page. Also, stay tuned for an announcement concerning the winner of our 2015 Community Matters Giveaway.