9:15 p.m. Just got in from National Night Out events in our community.

Special thanks to Corporal Amanda Lee with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Community Action Team for allowing me to ride along tonight with her and her team.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t get to all the events but worse than that was that not many neighborhoods in our area participated. Next year, I want to work to have more local participation.

Before joining Amanda and others at the Riverwalk Subdivision, I was at Waterford. They had a great set-up complete with Law Enforcement, Fire Department, hot dogs, dessert, prizes for the kids, tshirts, and even Andrew Talkish (our local celebrity) who spoke to the kids about recylcing. I spoke with many folks, including Mr. and Mrs. Rembert who lead the Crime Watch efforts. I also got to speak with Chris and Susan Locker , Karen Way , and Christina Cato (Treasurer of the HOA).

Next, I met up with Amanda Lee at Riverwalk along with Joni Crosby (Riverwalk HOA) and rode the main thoroughfare with several members of RCSD as well as two law enforcment officials visiting from Germany. It was good to see many residents come outside with their children and their dogs to see what was going on. Before the parade, I got to meet with a few neighbors who were grilling out on Siklwoth Place: Mr. and Mrs. Gobel, Mr. and Mrs. Ray, Ms. Patricia Van Houten and Laura, and a few others. They braved the 100+ degree heat to participate and fellowship with neighbors – right there on the road!

From there we went back to Waterford (National Award winners for their 2007 event) and then on to The Village at Hilton. We were joined there by Sheriff Leon Lott and we had a chance to talk with Mr. and Mrs. Whitlock, Amy Taylor, Mr. Hatfield and Susan Thabian (CrimeWatch Leader).

It was good to hear that our area (“Region 4”) is one of the safest areas in the county.

Let’s keep it that way! Stay involved. Know your neighbor. Report any suspicous activity.