National Night Out combats neighborhood crime

The Eastwood Neighborhood Association had strong words for criminals Tuesday, urging those who want to commit crime to take it elsewhere.

“Don’t do it here because we don’t want to put up with it anymore,” said Azalea Gallon, a 30-year Eastwood resident and member of the association.

The association's cries echoed those heard across San Antonio Tuesday, beginning with the official kick-off to National Night Out events at City Hall Tuesday morning.

The nation-wide event is held once a year.

Participating groups are urged to hold cookouts and small parties to get to know their neighbors and promote neighborhood safety.

“I refuse to leave,” said Gallon, despite the high amounts of crime in her neighborhood. “I want to make this a neighborhood that my grandkids can live in, so I refuse to leave.”

National Night Out participation is characteristically high in San Antonio, with several local groups winning state and national awards for their events last year.

• For a list of National Night Out events in San Antonio, click here (PDF).

• To see a collection of images from National Night Out events, click here (slideshow).