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E-mail This StoryPolice department sponsors block captains’ swim party
By Jesse Williams, Staff Writer
Captains and their families will be heading toward the water this weekend, but instead of stirring up waves on the open seas, they will so at the recreational pool.
The Coppell Police Department (CPD) will sponsor the annual National Night Out (NNO) block captain swim party from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Aquatic and Recreation Center. The free event is for block captains and their families.
Officer R. J. Harr, coordinator of NNO events, said because of the timing it is more of a “back-to-school swim party.” Block captains and their guests will not be the only ones present who work with the police on a regular basis. Members of the junior police academy will also get a chance to splash into the fun.
Captains will receive information, T-shirts, door hangers, balloons and supplies for the 25th annual NNO which takes place Oct. 7.
“This is the perfect opportunity for the police department to reconnect with the community,” Harr said.
He also said the majority of the party will take place in the outdoor pool. However, from 8:30 to 9 p.m., the social activity will be in the indoor pool. Guests also have the option to use other recreational facilities like the basketball courts.
As of Monday, only 17 block captains have signed up for the swim party.
NNO, a program created in 1984, promotes crime awareness, community spirit and a message to criminals that communities are fighting back through social interaction. City officials, police, civic organizations and more come out to meet one another through block parties, cook-outs, parades, exhibits, contests and more.
The swim party is one of these kickoff events and comes at a perfect time to cool off when Texas is faced with high temperatures of 105 to 107 degrees.
This hot topic was also the reason that the Texas Crime Prevention Association and the Texas Police Chief Association convinced the National Association of Town Watch, the creators of NNO, to change the date of NNO from Aug. 5 to Oct. 7.
Harr said the delay was better because the NNO celebration will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. but with the heat, it can still be hot at night time in August. One of the many people who would have suffered due to the August heat would be popular icons like McGruff, the crime dog, the NNO Knight and more. They make appearances at the block parties and it gets increasingly hot for those individuals to don the costumes.
“Most block captains are excited about the change,” Harr said.
To further commemorate the national program, the CPD participates in several events leading up to the national celebration: appearances at July 3 fireworks and July 4 Patriotic Parade, information booth at St. Ann’s Carnival from Sept. 5 to 7 and Coppell Cowboys High School football games Sept. 5 and 19, and the participation of the annual golf tournament Oct. 3 at Bridlewood Golf Club in Flower Mound.
For information about the swim party or NNO events, contact Harr at 972-304-3625 or e-mail him at rharr@ci.coppell.tx.us.
