Cedar Park, Leander Among Best 'National Night Out' Cities

CEDAR PARK-LEANDER, TX — Residents of Cedar Park and Leander: Congratulations! The group that launched "National Night Out" more than thirty years ago has deemed your communities to be among the nation's best in staging the annual event.

The National Association of Town Watch, which introduced the national community staging of solidarity against crime in 1983, ranked Cedar Park 20th-best among cities of its size (population 50,000 to 100,000) and Leander as 22nd-best in cities (for cities having between 15,000 to 50,000 residents).

The "National Night Out" observances in Cedar Park and Leander have become major community focal points over the years as evidenced by the abundance of neighborhoods staging block parties across both cities. Thousands more communities nationwide participate in the event as residents leave their porch lights on in literally shedding light on crime prevention and awareness while socializing with neighbors in conviviality and solidarity.

Rankings were based on the number of registered parties, range of photos provided by community members and other metrics, according the organization's press release.

The high number of Texas cities ranking this year helped propel the state as first in the nation in terms of participation at last month's event. Other cities clinching top spots in their various categories included Arlington, Coppell, El Paso County, Hutto, Leander, Live Oak, Longview, Plano, Richardson, San Antonio and The Woodlands.

To see the full list of rankings for the best "National Night Out" municipal participants, click here.

This isn't the first time Cedar Park has distinguished itself during "National Night Out." Two years ago, police boasted after clinching the top spot in the nation for its category. And by the looks of Leander's celebration last year, the neighboring city is gunning for the title.

>>> Photo by Jarrod Reed on Unsplash