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EDITOR'S NOTES Tuesday evening I was pleased to see that at least some of the citizens of Jackson decided to take time out from their regular routines to participate in the national "America's Night Out," hosted locally by the Jackson Police Department. One of the best things I noticed was the comradery I witnessed among the neighbors who gathered together for an evening of fun, food and fellowship. The only thing I was disappointed with was that more neighborhoods in Jackson did not participate. A good crowd of neighbors gathered on West Cedar Street for a block party, which included all kinds of good food. At least 14 families were represented, which is outstanding. Although many of those in the neighborhood lead very busy lives, they took time to get out and enjoy some good fellowship with others who live near them. Despite the hot August weather, which came complete with gnats and other pests, everyone appeared to be having a great time. Behind Jackson City Hall, the Jackson Police Department put together a night out for anyone in the community who wanted to stop by for a bite to eat or just to visit with other residents. Members of the department were on hand to greet citizens as they arrived. This type of community involvement by the police department is very important to building a good relationship with the people it serves. It shows that our local law enforcement officials are not unapproachable and are truly concerned about their community. Most neighborhoods in Jackson are made up of people who care about one another. Although we may go about our daily lives with little daily contact with our neighbors, for the most part, we know we can count on them when the going gets tough. Our police officers are part of these neighborhoods, living among and interacting with us, not just when they are on duty, but in their everyday lives as well. Too often the police are looked at as a unit and not individuals. Tuesday's event presented the opportunity for the citizens of Jackson to see the human side of those charged with protecting us on a daily basis. Tuesday also gave Jackson residents the opportunity to get out and mingle with one another. We should be thankful that for a police department that cares enough about the city's population to put together such an event. Not every town is so lucky. As many of you know by now, I am not a native of Jackson and have lived in several other towns of various sizes. But, Jackson is by far my favorite. I have made some good friends here and enjoy the many community events I have attended, not only the ones I attend because of my job, but others e attended by choice. It's good to know that I have neighbors who keep up with what's going on around them, not just in their own households. We all have to be aware of our surroundings to keep Jackson a safe place to live. We can't totally depend on the police to do that job. It's up to all of us. Several years ago a gathering, similar to the one on Cedar Street, was organized in my neighborhood. I would like to see such events take place all over Jackson, at least once a year, just so people can keep up with how their neighbors are doing and also as a means for new residents to get to know those who live near them.
If we allow ourselves to drift apart, we will. We should not allow that to happen. Let's keep Jackson the tight knit community it is, no matter how big our city grows. It can be done. We have already proven it, so far.
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