Published on Friday, July 30, 1993
© 1993 The Arizona Republic

Byline: By Alfredo Azula and Ryan Konig, Staff writers

National Night Out organizers are expecting record crowds to participate in this year's annual anti-crime celebration.

''Participation is way up,'' said Cynthia Shwartz, who is chairing a Phoenix citizens committee overseeing preparations for Tuesday's event.

More than 20,000 people are expected to take part in parades, ice-cream socials and block parties in hundreds of neighborhoods throughout the Valley.

Michelle Miller, a Phoenix police spokeswoman, said the number of events registered with the Block Watch Advisory Board is triple that of last year.

This year's celebration kicks off at 4 p.m. today at Westridge Mall, 75th Avenue and Thomas Road, with games, prizes, food, booths and appearances by Mayor Paul Johnson, Police Chief Dennis Garrett and Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

The three also plan to travel from neighborhood to neighborhood Tuesday on National Night Out.

Police officers or firefighters are expected to be present at nearly every event. They will be taking calls for service from the event sites, said Richard Fox, president of the Block Watch board.

''We really want to emphasize the people part of it this year and make sure everyone feels included,'' Fox said.

For Lora Lee Nye, the event has an added significance. It was eight years ago that she and others formed a Block Watch after their Manzanita Neighborhood was rocked by a series of arson attacks.

After that, one thing led to another.

First, Manzanita residents helped to catch the arsonist.

Then, they established the Block Watch Advisory Board, which in turn made National Night Out a citywide celebration.

Manzanita Neighborhood will stage its electric light parade, the centerpiece of a day of food, games and entertainment activities.

Manzanita is bounded by Northern, Dunlap, 35th and 43rd avenues.

Night Out celebrations are meaningful only if they encourage lasting benefits, said Alma Williams, a Green Gables Neighborhood activist.

''Just getting out and marching up and down the street isn't going to improve a neighborhood,'' Williams said.

''For the neighborhoods that are going to have socials and the like, that will bring people out so they can get to know each other. But we shouldn't set aside only one night a year to do that.''

Neighborhood associations that are planning events include:

--> Coronado. A get-together, refreshments, balloons, sales of Block Watch pins, cups and shirts.

--> Country Club. Trolley rides, pony rides, volleyball, pinata bash and dinner for $1 and raffle.

--> Del Norte. Free ice cream, live entertainment, pool open for 25-cent admission.

--> Duppa Villa. Pony rides, fire department ladder truck, games, dancers, speakers and McGruff the Crime Dog.

--> Fairview Place. Information booths and refreshments.

--> Greenfield Acres. Ice-cream social, music, carnival games and several contests.

--> Papago Vista. Yellow shirt night and a recipe night for neighbors to visit each other's homes and sample different dishes.

--> Roosevelt Action Association. Potluck dinners on individual blocks and ice cream social at Margaret T. Hance Park.

--> Royal Palm neighborhood will hold a block party from 7 to 9 p.m. on Harmont Drive between 16th and 17th drives. Harmont is located just north of Northern Avenue. The Fire Department and the Police Department will be there. Also, free ice cream and submarine sandwiches will be served.

--> Sunburst Farms and the surrounding neighborhood activities run from 7 to 9 p.m. and will include a visit from the mayor and Councilwoman Thelda Williams. There will be free watermelon and a raffle.