Texarkana families and neighbors stepped outside on Tuesday night for a vibrant celebration of National Night Out, a yearly event that builds trust between community members and first‑responders. Across the twin cities, 25 block parties were organized in Texarkana, Texas, and 22 in Texarkana, Arkansas, drawing dozens of residents to carports, backyards and local parks.
Community leaders praise the growing tradition
Barbara Pitts Riley, director of the Sandflat‑Glendale‑Shannon Neighborhood Center in Texarkana, Arkansas, highlighted that this marks the ninth year the center has hosted National Night Out. “It brings in a lot of first responders and city council members for networking and fellowship,” Riley said, emphasizing the event’s role in fostering friendly, neighborly connections that echo the values of strong families and faith‑based communities.
In the Dogwood Lake neighborhood, longtime residents Lana and Keith Akin hosted the area’s first National Night Out. “We can meet our neighbors and socialize with them. To know your neighbors and be neighborly like they used to a long time ago and be friendly,” Keith Akin explained. The Akins also welcomed local police, fire personnel and city manager David Orr, noting how important it is for families to see the people who keep their streets safe.
University students join the celebration
Texas A&M University‑Texarkana added an academic twist to the evening, holding a block party organized by assistant director of student engagement Blessen Jacob and university police officer Dillon Gardner. Jacob described the gathering as a partnership effort involving the university police department, counseling and wellness services, the campus Clery office and the RCU. “Nights like these are very important because they give a more personal relationship with our students and our officers and anybody else in law enforcement,” she said.
Officer Gardner echoed that sentiment, noting the event’s appeal to all ages. “It’s a great time for kids. It doesn’t matter if they’re a couple of years old or in college. It’s just for the community to come out, meet their officers, understand more about what we do and the resources that we provide,” he said.
Why National Night Out matters for families
National Night Out provides a safe, informal setting for families to learn about public‑safety resources, ask questions and build relationships with those who protect them. By bringing together parents, children, seniors and first‑responders, the event reinforces the traditional family values that form the backbone of a strong neighborhood.
Local faith communities also participated, offering prayers for safety and thanking law‑enforcement officers for their service. The collaborative spirit demonstrated across both sides of the state line underscores the shared commitment of Texarkana’s residents to uphold community, family and liberty.
Looking ahead
Organizers hope the success of this year’s National Night Out will inspire even more neighborhoods to host future events. With strong turnout and enthusiastic feedback, the evening proved that when citizens and public servants come together, they can create a safer, more connected community for all.
Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.
