More than 30 Neighborhood Associations in the City of Peoria celebrated National Night Out Against Crime.
Each neighborhood does different things, but most center around a cookout. The Gooselake Neighborhood Association held its event in John Gwynn Park.
Linda Smith is the Vice President of her association and planned their event. She says they had free pony rides, a small petting zoo, and swimming, and most importantly the opportunity to meet their neighbors. “It’s like a National Night Out against crime to get together and show that you’re not afraid to be out and enjoy yourself. A lot of people do come out and they like enjoy being around other people and have a good time.”
Smith says they were prepared to feed up to two hundred people.
Cassandra Harris is the President of the Red Zone Neighborhood Association. She says this is the fourth year she’s planned the Night Out Against Crime event for her neighborhood. The 1500 block of West Millman was barracked to through-traffic for the event. Harris says they fed more than 100 people. “I really enjoy the national night out because I feel like its a big gathering of more than just me. Because its all the neighborhood associations coming together and it’s a really powerful feeling.”
Harris says The Red Zone Neighborhood Association started its event about noon Tuesday.
Most of the events were from 5:00p.m. to 8:00p.m.. Participating neighborhood associations registered with the City of Peoria can get up to a $200 reimbursement for costs associated with their event.