Roseville Neighborhoods Band Together for Night to Unite

Roseville was bursting with an abundant sense of community Tuesday night as neighbors came together for the 28^th Annual Night to Unite.  Night to Unite, formerly National Night Out, is a countrywide effort supported by law enforcement to promote community safety. 

Sarah Mahmud,community relations coordinator for the Roseville Police Department, headed out to a block party on Laurie Ave with City Manager Bill Malinen and Police Chief Rick Mathwig. 

“We have 94 parties that were registered with the city.  Thirteen teams from the Department are making their way around the block parties tonight.  The three of us will make it out to seven parties,” Mahmud said. 

Over on Sextant Avenue, neighbors mingled together in the cul-de-sac and prepared their meal.

According to Francie Weber, the residents combined two close neighborhoods to bring a larger group together.  She said she has been attending Night to Unite on and off for more than 10 years.

“This night really reminds us that we need to get together more often,” she said.

A healthy Night to Unite competition took over Sherren Street as neighbors signed in on poster boards that track their attendance dating back to 2001.

Diane Meyer has been hosting Night to Unite since 1999 and loves every minute of it. 

“It gets a little easier each year, but it’s so fun to plan and to watch the neighborhood grow each year,” she said.

The Meyer's hosted a variety of activities such as face painting, bubbles and water activities for the children and a cake walk.

Abby Dunn, who is visiting from Kansas for the summer, assisted Ashley Johnson with the face painting. 

Dunn and Johnson, both 9, got to know each other over painting and marveled at each other’s shared interests. 

“It was nice to meet someone my age in the neighborhood, now I have a friend every time I come to Minnesota.  I wouldn’t have met her if it wasn’t for this cool party,” she said smiling.