(Seguin) – Tonight is the night to come out and meet your neighbor. Today is National Night Out where neighborhoods are invited to gather and talk about ways to protect themselves from thieves and other types of crime.
While it may be easier for city of Seguin residents to host block parties and gather on their lawns, crime prevention efforts have been well part of the tradition for families and neighbors in the rural parts of Guadalupe County.
Celebrating its 20th National Night Out Celebration is the Altwein Lane community.
For the last several years, Marilyn Marshall says she’s has been opening her house and hosting the annual gathering.
“We are about halfway down Altwein Lane close to the road so it kind of makes it convenient. Now, we do invite a lot of other people too like the sheriff’s office. The Sheriff always comes and sends deputies, and we get the canine deputy, and the McQueeney Fire Department always makes a big showing, different groups like that,” said Marshall.
Marshall says folks new and old to the area have all benefited from such a gathering.
“You learn who your neighbors are, where they live. We always meet somebody new every time we do this. We have a few people that come that we haven’t met before and we are just really happy to get to know them. It’s just a nice way to get together and get to know your neighbors,” said Marshall.
The Altwein gathering will be held today from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 1120 Altwin Ln. Free food and drinks will be served while they last.
Also bridging county residents together are Jackie and Charlene Nolte. The couple has been hosting its National Night Out Party for the last 10 years. Dubbed “Party by the Barn at Creekbottom Farm,” a gathering of folks has taken place at 4907 FM 1044 near the dividing line of Guadalupe County Pct. 1 and Pct. 4. Tonight’s gathering will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. A barn hall meeting is also set for 7 p.m.
Neighbors are asked to bring their drink of choice and finger foods to share plus their lawn chair. Guadalupe County first responders plus county officials will also be in attendance.
City of Seguin emergency personnel will also be kept quite busy tonight throughout the city. Seguin Police Department officials say approximately 25 local neighborhoods have signed up to host a party or community gathering.
One of the most talked about locations for a National Night Out Party in the city will be the newly transformed Bauer Park located on East College Street.
During the park’s ribbon cutting last week, Jason Biesenbach, Seguin City Councilman District 7, publicly extended the invitation to his neighbors.
“Tuesday is National Night Out so if you do live in or around our park here, we will be here at this pavilion during our National Night Out from 6 to 8 p.m. So, if you live in the area around here, come on out, bring your kids. The park is open. It’s going to be a great time,” said Biesenbach.
Impromptu parties and the gathering of neighbors are still encouraged everywhere. Sign-up was only necessary if folks wanted a visit from an officer or firefighter. Law enforcement officials say the more people know their neighbors, the more likely they are able to look out for each other on a regular basis.