For 25 years, the first Tuesday of August has been National Night Out. Sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), this far-reaching community safety event is promoted as “America’s Night Out Against Crime.” Crime prevention and emergency preparedness are often considered as separate efforts, but they share a great deal. Two tools especially support both goals: keychain whistles and flashlights. These can be used to warn/alert, direct traffic, signal for help, or simply to communicate (Remember: 1=Yes, 2=No, 3=Help!). People armed with whistles and flashlights are more prepared to address the immediate threats of crime and the potential threats posed by other disasters. Look for opportunities to leverage this common ground: bulk purchasing, co-branding, partnering on events, and cross-training are a few options.
