It’s Thornton’s night out against crime!
The “32nd Annual National Night Out” (NNO), a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the
National Association of Town Watch, and locally by the Thornton Police Department will be held on Tuesday,
August 4, 2015. This year’s National Night Out campaign will involve citizens, law enforcement, fire department,
civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations, and local officials from the City of Thornton. In 2014,
over 38.1 million people nationwide participated in National Night Out, and organizers anticipate that number
to grow even larger in 2015.
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to:
• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
• Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for Thornton residents to promote police-community partnerships, crime
prevention, and neighborhood camaraderie” said Community Relations Officer Matt Barnes.” While the one
night is certainly not an answer to crime, drugs and violence, National Night Out does represent the kind of
spirit, energy and determination that is helping to make many Thornton neighborhoods safer places throughout
the year.” National Night Out is a night to celebrate safety, crime prevention successes, and neighborhood unity and to expand and strengthen programs for the next 364 days.” said Barnes.
If you would like to host a National Night Out event in your neighborhood and register your event with the
Thornton Police Department, please contact Officer Matt Barnes at 720-977-5024.
National Night Out Party Ideas
Ways to jumpstart your National Night Out event. These are just suggestions to stimulate your thinking. Be creative!
Simple Refreshments
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Watermelon
Potluck - bring your specialty
Lemonade
Coffee, tea and dessert
Ice cream cones
Make your own sundaes
Pretzels and chips
Fruit and cheese plates
Pizza
Cookies
Hamburgers
Hot dogs
Chicken
Corn on the cob
Salads
Soda
Iced tea
Punch
Group Conversations/
Mixers
• Block history stories
• National Night Out stories
• Photos from past block parties
and NNO events
• Design a mixer: “Find a person
who…” - with prizes
• Oldest resident award
• Longest resident award
• Newest resident award
Getting Permits
Contribute to the
Community
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Collect for a food bank
Beautify a common area
Plan a fall clean-up or bulb planting
Recruit additional Neighborhood
Watch leaders and block captains
• Discuss neighborhood concerns,
problems
• Distribute neighborhood block
list, phone numbers, etc.
• Discuss outdoor lighting in the
area
Activities for Youth
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Bike parade
Board games
Skits
Make a mural or banner
Coloring Contest
Pony rides
McGruff
3-legged race
Football, baseball, basketball
Street hockey
Roller blade
Youth parade with a theme
Jump rope
Chalk art
Face painting
Bubbles
Sack races
Magic show
Sing-alongs
Water balloons
Frisbee competition
Piñata
Clowns
Bike Safety
Child ID Kits
Activities for All Ages
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Block party
Cookout
Parade
Jump rope contest
Hula hoop contest
Barbeque
Street dance
Volleyball
Celebrate birthdays, anniversaries,
graduations, etc.
Scavenger hunt
Visits from police, fire and EMS
Take lots of pictures
Karaoke
Rummage sale
Music and DJ
Dunk tank
Movies
Street carnival
Disposable camera distribution/
photo contest
Self-defense demonstration
Jail & Bail
Funniest hat contest
Welcome new neighbors
Live music
Horseshoes
It is the party planner’s responsibility to turn permit applications in to the appropriate department. Be sure to submit
the applications at least two weeks in advance to allow plenty of time for processing. Links to permits can be found at
www.cityofthornton.net/neighborhood. Click on Revitalization & Engagement.
Blocking Off a Street
A “Traffic Control Permit” is required for you to block off a portion of a Thornton public street for your party area.
Residents must provide their own barricades/ cones for blocking the street. The permit lists the detailed conditions
and requirements. Vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle access must still be permitted for residents living within the
party area wishing to get in and out.
This permit is free and typically takes two business days to process depending on the location of party area. More
time may be required if the party area is on a collector street. For more information about getting a permit call
Thornton Traffic Engineering & Operations at 720-977-6500. Permit applications are available at the Infrastructure
Maintenance Center 12450 Washington St. or online at www.cityofthornton.net.