National Night Out in Crewe Defines the Meaning of “Community”

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Crewe, Virginia held its official celebration of National Night Out on Saturday, August 8. The town officials decided to move the date to the weekend “…because it was easier on the people that work all week, especially those that work all day in the heat.” That was the thoughtful line of reasoning one deputy gave as he was handing a balloon to one of the multitude of laughing, chasing, dancing children that filled the park beside the Crewe Library on Saturday afternoon. The annual party at Crewe was, in fact, more like a giant family reunion than a gathering that was organized to strengthen the relationships between local law enforcement and the community. The giant griddle used to cook all of the food for the event was donated to the town by the big box store, Sam’s Club. It was put to good use. Dozens of box lunches filled a table as high as they dared to be stacked. Hot dogs and chips were the perfect fare for the afternoon outdoors. Tubs of ice and cold drinks sat beside the table, also there for the taking. There were fire trucks and bucket trucks, police cars and even a rescue boat.The music seemed to have an effect on everyone there. Police officers had dance-offs with kids and to be honest, it was very hard to tell who was having a better time judging by the smiles on everybody’s faces! At one point, even the Mayor of Crewe was seen having a no hands doughnut eating contest against a table full of children, local police and Virginia State Troopers! There was no shortage of laughter as everybody rooted for their favorite contestants. The entire town of Crewe came to the park beside the library for their National Night Out. It was one of the most memorable events of the year. The towns people of Crewe are a close knit group of people that truly care about each other. That is, after all, the meaning of community.