The rise of air conditioning has contributed to the decline of community, said Barbara Galloway, manager of Magruder's Discovery , a garden apartment complex on Westlake Drive. “Now that everybody has air conditioning, nobody sits out on their porch anymore. The old patterns are destroyed by air conditioning,” she said.
To try to combat this, the National Association of Town Watch developed the "National Night Out" program. This year, August 3 was the 21st National Night Out and was marked by events around Montgomery County, including the one at Magruder's Discovery.
While National Night Out strives to build and strengthen communities, the moonbounce and tubs of ice cream made the event at Magruder’s Discovery one for the children. “Tonight is just about getting everyone outside and having some ice cream. I know folks get busy with work and rearing children. I give credit to the residents for coming out of their homes," Galloway said.
“Our goals are not complex. To be a good neighbor, you have to know your neighbors. To know your neighbors you have to get out of your house to break that isolation that causes neighborhood decline," said Galloway
“To get to know your neighbors helps get your community stronger,” said Annie Alston, chief of staff of the Housing Opportunities Commission. The Commission administers Magruder's Discovery, which has 134 housing units out of a total of approximately 6,000 public housing units across the county.
The Montgomery County Police Department had several officers on-hand for the event, including a costumed McGruff the Crime Dog to entertain the children. McGruff visited various locations participating in National Night Out throughout the evening. Officers set up a table display with an assortment of flyers regarding crime prevention and neighborhood safety.
“National Night Out is a great event, not only because it brings the community out, but it also allows the police department to come out and build relationships with the community," said Dana Mathis of the Montgomery County Police Department. "Especially for the kids, it’s great outreach for us. They usually only see us when we’re giving out tickets. It gives us a more positive image. A lot of times, it’s the only chance they get to ask questions to an officer.”
“It’s just a great opportunity for communities to get out and get together, talk to each other a little bit and build a little more sense of community. We’re just here to lend a little support as a part of the crime prevention team. It’s really about them," said Lt. John Kapinos of the Montgomery County Police.
The organizers also sought to increase the resident's sense as members of a larger community. "Our second purpose was to have voter registration. We want to make them more aware that it is everybody’s duty as a resident and as a citizen," said Kay Masood, resident counselor.
Masood also pointed out the benefits of the community at Magruder's. "It’s a great community. You don’t have a single dropout from school. We see that every child goes to school and that every kid graduates from high school. I’ve been here since 1986 and 19 have graduated from college,” Masood said.
Masood emphasizes the great location for the adolescents at Magruder’s Discovery, who find jobs at Montgomery Mall and attend classes at Montgomery College or the University of Maryland.
“We have a positive feeling here," Masood said. "They care for each other. Younger folks will take care of the seniors in their building. They are good neighbors and they are good to each other. "