The weather wasn’t cooperating, but that didn’t stop hundreds of people from turning out Tuesday night for National Night Out, a meet-and-greet with neighbors, police and firefighters.
At 14 sites throughout Denver’s six police districts, neighbors ate, drank and chatted about local issues, such as the impact of neighborhood homeless shelters, whether crime is up or down and whether a stop sign is needed at a certain intersection.
“It’s very positive,” said District VI police Cmdr. Deborah Dilley, talking with mostly street people at East Colfax Avenue and Pearl Street. “It’s an opportunity for neighbors to meet neighbors and police, to see us in a relaxed, social setting.”
Cathy Anderson, president of the Capitol Hill Neighborhood Association, said volunteers fed some 200 people with food donated from area restaurants, including McDonald’s, Earl of Sandwich and Two-Fisted Mario’s.
City Councilwoman Jeanne Robb showed up at several sites, including the Congress Park pavilion, which kept the crowd of about 50 people relatively dry through sporadic rainstorms that doused the city.
“Neighbors are exchanging ideas, building constructive relationships,” she said, as children played on a firetruck after watching the nozzles spray upward.
The annual event, in its 23rd year, attracts more than 30 million participants nationwide and was started to help residents combat drugs and crime, according to organizers.
Staff writer Mike McPhee can be reached at 303-820-1409 or mmcphee@denverpost.com.
