Toole County’s First Annual National Night Out

Mary Miller in Shelby working for Gateway Community Services and the PFS grant recently helped organize Toole County’s First Annual National Night Out (NNO). NNO was a partnership with local law enforcement, churches, government, businesses and the medical center to celebrate with the community the importance of law enforcement in an alcohol-free celebration. The intent was to begin to change social norms since the current belief is that all Toole County events must have alcohol at it in order to “celebrate”. Mary believes NNO contributed to putting a friendly and respectful face to law enforcement and personalized the role they play in supporting a healthy and drug free community. As a border county with an active drug trade passing through, the event gave members of law enforcement a welcome respite from the very real dangers of their occupation and a chance to meet their neighbors.