Texans celebrate National Night Out

AUSTIN (KXAN) - For the 26th year Tuesday, Texans joined in National Night Out. Neighbors came together to celebrate their community spirit and get better acquainted with their local police.

The rest of the country celebrates in August, but Texas conducts their Night Out the first Tuesday in October, because of the searing summer heat. The event is to raise community awareness about crime, to promote neighborhood unity and arrange a number of activities for children.

Throughout central Texas, neighbors come together, hold block parties, march with flashlights and hold parades.In August 15-thousand communities across the United States did much the same.

One large event was at the Chinatown Center on North Lamar where Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo made an appearance, assuring folks: "We want them to know we're united as a community to keep Austin one of the safest cities in America."

The evening was filled with food, music and special events police officers arranged for the kids. They also brought their patrol horses and helicopter for everyone to eyeball close-up. Austin resident Ben Brutsche said it was great to meet the officers.

"They have a lot of really cool toys."