When I put NNO on my calendar for August 3rd, I thought that I was going to get a rare date night with my wife. Maybe we would catch a movie or have a nice dinner. Instead, as it turns out, NNO is an event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch with the fourfold aims, to:
- Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
- Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
- Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
- Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
These are quoted from the official NNO website.
Now I'm all for supporting our law enforcement agencies and all, particularly if "supporting" is code for "being involved in covert activity to catch wayward teenagers in their shenanigans." But daggonit, if I'm going to spend a night out, I don't really need the authorities tagging along. Rather than sulk with disappointment, however, I decided to make the most of this opportunity to experience something new.
As it turned out, the town just up the road, Cold Spring, KY, was hosting a NNO community event. So we tumbled into the van and made our way to Friendship Park. As you can tell from the name of the location, any hope I had of covert ops was quickly dispelled. As we pulled in and unloaded, it appeared as if the event consisted mainly of some guys in different uniforms showing off some of the cool vehicles operated by the local police, fire, and army organizations. It also appeared as if most of the "community" in attendance was comprised of the families of the people who were showing off said vehicles (who all apparently knew each other but did not know us). However, as the evening progressed, more and more people funneled in and as events unfolded, I must say, my family and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
First, we were shown to a tent in which raffle tickets were being handed out. The event was slated to last from 6:00-8:30 and we surmised that the raffle would not happen until close to 8:30 and we were not planning on staying that long. Regardless, we received 15 tickets (5 per person) and Robby got a little bag with various fire safety tips printed on bookmarks and a ruler, etc. More importantly, we were then informed that there was free food in the concession stand. We walked cursorily past the various vehicles which were parked and open for inspection and headed toward the shelter house. After saving some seats on the shady side of a picnic table, we made our way to the concession stand to get our hotdogs, potato chips and sodas. This was not the same as a romantic dinner with my wife at Pompilio's, but not bad, not bad. Then an announcement was made that dramatically enhanced the prospects for the evening. First, it was announced that the raffle would commence in 10 minutes (6:50), and at 7:00, there would be a...wait for it...taser demonstration.
I took my son to the playground to wile away the 10 minutes (which turned out to be 12) and then we returned to the shelter for the raffle drawing. The first 2 tickets drawn were for Kroger's (sic) gift cards. I was disappointed not to win either of these as I do most of the grocery shopping and if I had a gift card, I may be more inclined to purchase some more premium items. The third item was a gift card for a local "Mexican" restaurant (the crappy one, not the good one) so I was OK with missing that. Then, magic happened. "Last three numbers 6-3-0." WOOT! I didn't even know what the prize was, but I was so excited, I ran up to the table and almost didn't hear my son saying that he wanted to go with me. As I got to the front, I discovered that my prize was a DVD (I got to choose from among four) and a free Big Boy sandwich from Frisch's. The movies were all family oriented and I chose Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Not a bad haul if you ask me.
Then came the apogee of the evening, TASER DEMO!
It was so cool that (and let's not kid ourselves, I am so lazy that) rather than to use words to describe the demonstration, I will show you the pictures.
The guy in white is Jordan, he said I could use these pictures as long as I noted that he was volunteering, not being arrested.
Now I'm all for supporting our law enforcement agencies and all, particularly if "supporting" is code for "being involved in covert activity to catch wayward teenagers in their shenanigans." But daggonit, if I'm going to spend a night out, I don't really need the authorities tagging along. Rather than sulk with disappointment, however, I decided to make the most of this opportunity to experience something new.
As it turned out, the town just up the road, Cold Spring, KY, was hosting a NNO community event. So we tumbled into the van and made our way to Friendship Park. As you can tell from the name of the location, any hope I had of covert ops was quickly dispelled. As we pulled in and unloaded, it appeared as if the event consisted mainly of some guys in different uniforms showing off some of the cool vehicles operated by the local police, fire, and army organizations. It also appeared as if most of the "community" in attendance was comprised of the families of the people who were showing off said vehicles (who all apparently knew each other but did not know us). However, as the evening progressed, more and more people funneled in and as events unfolded, I must say, my family and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
First, we were shown to a tent in which raffle tickets were being handed out. The event was slated to last from 6:00-8:30 and we surmised that the raffle would not happen until close to 8:30 and we were not planning on staying that long. Regardless, we received 15 tickets (5 per person) and Robby got a little bag with various fire safety tips printed on bookmarks and a ruler, etc. More importantly, we were then informed that there was free food in the concession stand. We walked cursorily past the various vehicles which were parked and open for inspection and headed toward the shelter house. After saving some seats on the shady side of a picnic table, we made our way to the concession stand to get our hotdogs, potato chips and sodas. This was not the same as a romantic dinner with my wife at Pompilio's, but not bad, not bad. Then an announcement was made that dramatically enhanced the prospects for the evening. First, it was announced that the raffle would commence in 10 minutes (6:50), and at 7:00, there would be a...wait for it...taser demonstration.
I took my son to the playground to wile away the 10 minutes (which turned out to be 12) and then we returned to the shelter for the raffle drawing. The first 2 tickets drawn were for Kroger's (sic) gift cards. I was disappointed not to win either of these as I do most of the grocery shopping and if I had a gift card, I may be more inclined to purchase some more premium items. The third item was a gift card for a local "Mexican" restaurant (the crappy one, not the good one) so I was OK with missing that. Then, magic happened. "Last three numbers 6-3-0." WOOT! I didn't even know what the prize was, but I was so excited, I ran up to the table and almost didn't hear my son saying that he wanted to go with me. As I got to the front, I discovered that my prize was a DVD (I got to choose from among four) and a free Big Boy sandwich from Frisch's. The movies were all family oriented and I chose Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Not a bad haul if you ask me.
Then came the apogee of the evening, TASER DEMO!
It was so cool that (and let's not kid ourselves, I am so lazy that) rather than to use words to describe the demonstration, I will show you the pictures.
The guy in white is Jordan, he said I could use these pictures as long as I noted that he was volunteering, not being arrested.
The second guy, in the sleeveless, is named Keith. He got it too.
For a split second, the thought popped in my head, "What an experience it would be to get tased myself"
Split second...that's all.
We left not too long after this. I mean, there was nowhere to go but down, right? In any case, we left with food, loot, and entertainment. And we left with the knowledge that all of the criminals at Friendship Park had certainly "received the message letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back."
UPDATE: You can find more pictures here
I enjoy your stories :)
ReplyDeletewe have a cop that lives on our street so every year there is a block party outside of our house. my husband and i decided to do what you were thinking of though and had a night out of our own. :)
Thanks Amanda.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely OK with bending the rules a bit as far as these celebrations are concerned. If it can be an excuse to go out with your hubby then I say "huzzah." What did you and your husband do?
It was supposed to be dinner and browsing the bookstore with coffee but my husband got held up at work. So it became just dinner. But it was a chance to eat dinner while it was hot! And without a toddler climbing all over us and throwing food on the floor. So I consider it a success :o)
ReplyDelete