Celina police officers will spend Tuesday evening, Oct. 6, going from one neighborhood gathering to the next as the city marks National Night Out.
The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at Celina's downtown square and in participating neighborhoods, according to the city's event listing. Residents host their own block parties, and officers stop by to meet the people who live on their beats.
The department describes the night as a way to get to know neighbors and build relationships between residents and police, outside of emergency calls. The national campaign also aims to signal that a neighborhood is organized and watching out for itself.
Still time to sign up
Neighborhoods that want officers to visit can still register their party with the Celina Police Department's community services staff. The department has asked hosts to reach out ahead of time so officers can plan their route, and the city's listing says residents can also check with the department to find out whether a party is already planned near them.
Why October
National Night Out began in 1984 and is held across most of the country on the first Tuesday in August. Texas, along with some other areas, moves it to the first Tuesday in October, when evenings are cooler, which is why Celina and its neighbors celebrate this week.