More than 150 National Night Out (NNO) Parties throughout City of St. Louis neighborhoods brought together neighbors, their children, and four-legged companions in the hopes of strengthening their block and neighborhood by getting to know each other better. From Baden to Carondelet and the Central West End to Soulard, neighbors brought food and drink to share, provided entertainment, organized activities for the children and got to know each other better during the evening event. The celebration in the Skinker-DeBaliviere neighborhood was held in the park at the corner of Kingsbury and Des Peres Avenues and featured the naming of that park in honor of the late Greg Freeman, an area resident. The neighborhood celebrations were also attended by local police officers and fire fighters to help strengthen community relations and to support efforts to fight back against crime. A rescue squad from the St. Louis Fire Department was on site at Greg Freeman Park with their vehicle for youngsters to explore and learn about fire fighting. At the Missouri Avenue Party next to Lafayette Park, neighbors brought covered dishes to share and folding chairs in which to relax and enjoy camaraderie.

The organizers of the Southampton Neighborhood Party provided an international flavor for young party-goers. The tots enjoyed themselves by trying to strike a colorful papier mâché pinata while blindfolded, and the parents enjoyed taking photos of their child's attempts to do so. "Thank you to everyone who organized a block party this year," said Charles Bryson, the City's Public Safety Director. "Events such as this are important for neighbors to get to know each other and to make neighborhoods safer. By making these connections now, when crime does happen, you'll be able to watch out for each other." Traditionally, the annual National Night Out celebration is held on the first Tuesday in August. For comments about this year's National Night Out celebration, please contact the City's Neighborhood Stabilization Office at (314) 657-1392. # # #