December 19th, 2009
Hays County National Night Out ranks high

Pictured left to right: Lt. Leroy Opiela, Sheriff Tommy Ratliff and Deputy Mike Thielen.

STAFF REPORT

Hays County was the 11th most active county in the country when it came to conducting National Night Out events, according to rankings recently produced by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW).

Most Hays County residents are somewhat familiar with the National Night Out, the nationwide program sponsored by the NATW)  Each year, the Hays County Sheriff’s office and many citizens of the county participate in the national event which is held on the first Tuesday in August, except in Texas where there is the option to hold the event on the first Tuesday in October.

In 2009, Hays county residents hosted approximately 70 parties in which neighbors meet each other and hope to reduce the incidence of crime.  Hays County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Hays County Constables, firefighters and EMS personnel attended these events and gave the neighborhoods their expert input.

After the night’s event, a competition book  was completed detailing National Night Out activities throughout the whole process from planning, executing and follow-up.  At the same time, members of the Capital Area Night Out Committee, which includes most cities and counties in Central Texas, compiled a booklet featuring parties across the state.

These books were then sent to NATW for competition. Hays County placed 11th in the nation as measured against other localities of like size. Texas ranked 1st in the nation for its National Night Out efforts.

Hays County Sheriff Tommy Ratliff said he “is extremely proud of the citizens of Hays County  for their continued support and  involvement and  proves that neighborhood watch truly works in Hays County and across the Great State of Texas.”