The weather was fantastic, and life was returning to normal after a high-wind storm disrupted Arlington's usual routines on Oct. 2. It was perfect timing to celebrate National Night Out (NNO) when Arlington residents and police officials gathered across the City on Oct. 7 at one of more than 190 parties designed to encourage and strengthen crime prevention.

"It was great seeing everyone coming together, especially after the storm," said Police Officer Kimberly Fretwell, who helped organize and promote NNO in Arlington. "I heard stories about neighbors checking on one another, borrowing generators. And that's what NNO is all about - working with one another and supporting one another."

National Night Out encourages neighbors to connect with each other and first responders, with the thinking that residents are more likely to look after one another and call in suspicious activity if they are familiar with those around them.

Officer Fretwell made it to four NNO parties last evening, one of which was hosted by Wild West Comics and Games on South Cooper Street. Wild West was throwing its first NNO event, which tied in with its Family Game Night it hosts every Tuesday evening in an effort to keep kids off the streets.

"I heard nothing but positive feedback," Officer Fretwell said. "People enjoyed themselves, and everyone was very nice and appreciative that we were there."