Greenbelt neighborhoods celebrated National Night Out on Tuesday, August 6. The national event is now observed by thousands of communities in all 50 states and has its origins in the nascent neighborhood watch programs that sprung up in the early 1970s. For Greenbelt, the event meant an evening of police interacting with community, good food, games and prizes, all before the rain started. Greenbriar and Glen Oaks At Hanover Parkway, National Night Out meant hot dogs, chips and ice cold beverages available for everyone, courtesy of Shoppers Food and Pharmacy. Free giveaways included backto-school items and toys for the kids, plus handouts related to emergency preparedness situations and personal safety. There was a face-painting station and a balloon animal maker for the kids. Raffle tickets were given to everyone as they arrived. Gift cards, donated by multiple sponsors, were won during the event. Members of the Greenbelt City Council who stopped by included Silke Pope, Edward Putens, Colin Byrd, Judith Davis and Emmett Jordan. State Delegate Alonzo Washington, County Council Chair Todd Turner, members of the Greenbelt Police Department, the Bike Patrol and Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department were in attendance. Sparky and McGruff posed for photos. The Prince George’s Running Club set up a very colorful table that attracted many. Representatives in opposition to the maglev project also were present.
Franklin Park
About 200 Franklin Park and Greenbelt Station residents gathered behind the Target in Beltway Plaza to participate in National Night Out. They came to receive free food, climb a rock wall, skate in a makeshift skatepark and pet the steed of a National Parks mounted police officer. The line for hot dogs, hamburgers and pizza stretched over 100 feet. Underneath a tent at the head of the line stood Greenbelt Officer Carlos Torres, the police officer assigned to the Franklin Park Apartments complex. Once residents made it to Torres, he asked them what they wanted in either Spanish or English and personally handed out drinks, burgers and hot dogs. Standing alongside him were employees of the Franklin Park Apartments who grilled the meats and assisted in passing out food.
Shortly before the thunderstorm rolled through, Torres led a raffle for school backpacks, basketballs and other items. And most residents made it back home before the rain and lightning came through. Other parts of Greenbelt — including Schrom Hills Park and Roosevelt Center — held celebrations as well.