Meet Your Neighbor During Night to Unite

The Lakeville Police Department has a clear message to relay about Tuesday’s Night to Unite: Don’t be shy.

Residents are encouraged to get out and meet their neighbors through block parties and community events on Tuesday.

Here’s is what the City of Lakeville website has to say about Night to Unite:

Lakeville neighborhoods are invited to join cities throughout Minnesota on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 for Minnesota's Night to Unite (formerly celebrated as National Night Out).

Night to Unite encourages law enforcement and communities to strengthen neighborhoods by getting to know one another to keep communities safe and promote community partnerships. Night to Unite is not only a fun night out with your neighbors, the event also sends a message to criminals that you are standing up against them by forming an alliance with your neighbors and police.

Representatives from the Lakeville Police Department, Fire Department, and City Council will attempt to visit each registered party. Due to the large number of parties, we are unable to make specific commitments.

Tuesday’s Night to Unite activities begin at 5 p.m.

A kickoff to Tuesday’s activities is planned at the Lakeville Senior Center, 20110 Holyoke Ave., the website says.

What’s more, city officials are encouraging residents taking part in Tuesday’s activities to collect food and other non-perishable items for local food shelves.

HOME AND NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY TIPS

Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota are recommending that parents use Night to Use as an opportunity to talk with their children about home and neighborhood safety tips.

Below is a list of tips to discuss:

1. Post important personal and contact information in a central place in your home.
• Include parents’ names, street address, mobile, home and work phone numbers, 911, poison control, fire department, police department, and helpful neighbors.
• Use a neighborhood party to help children familiarize themselves with their neighbors and identify whom they can go to for help.

2. Teach your child how and when to call 911.
• Discuss specifics of what an emergency is and when 911 should be used.
• Role play different scenarios and make sure kids know what information to give to the 911 operator.
• For younger kids, discuss the different roles of emergency workers and what they do.

3. Discuss “stranger danger.”
• Talk with your kids about who is allowed to pick them up from school or activities.
• Discuss the importance of walking in pairs and attention to their surroundings.
• Ensure they always take the same route home from school and do not take short cuts.

4. Practice street safety.
• Have children practice looking both ways before stepping into the street, using the crosswalk and obeying the walk/don’t walk signals.
• Teach kids what different road signs mean, such as a stop sign.
• Remind children about the importance of biking with a helmet and reflective light.

5. Talk to your children about fire safety.
• If fire trucks are present at the neighborhood party, use their presence as an opportunity to discuss what to do if there were a fire.
• Plan and practice escape routes in your home and designate a meeting spot in case you get separated.

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