National Night Out Helps Prevent Crime in Norman Neighborhood

By Gan Matthews, NEWS 9

NORMAN, Oklahoma -- The national neighborhood Night Out has been going on for 27 years, and neighborhoods in Norman have been participating from the beginning.

Tuesday night approximately 50 neighborhoods will be involved, including the neighborhood around Normandy Park in southwest Norman.

Every year a local Boy Scout troop cooks up fruit cobbler for the gathering.

Local residents, as well as Norman police, believe the annual gathering promotes community--and helps prevent crime.  Crime prevention is hard to measure, but police believe the Night Out promotes better communication between neighbors.

"You're going to take the time to call whether it's that person and say 'Hey there's an unfamiliar car at your house. Is that supposed to be there?'" said Norman Police Sgt. Jennifer Newell.

Normandy Park homeowner Drew Norlin said the Night Out has led to the establishment of an email network in the neighborhood that warns people of suspicious characters and unwanted solicitors.