NATCHEZ &045; It all began with the Linwood Neighborhood at 5:20 p.m.

Police lights and sirens captured the neighborhood’s attention as Natchez Police officers, the mayor, the city planner, the district attorney, the fire and police chiefs and the city clerk, among others, invaded the neighborhood to visit with the neighborhood watch gathered at the end of Mazique Lane.

For the 2003 National Night Out was like many others this neighborhood has participated in for years.

Chicken was in the smoker with hot dogs on the grill as neighbors gathered for fellowship.

It all began with Alonzo Granger leading the group in &uot;This Little Light of Mine&uot; and a prayer from Mazique Lane resident and pastor of the Sixth Street Church of God in Christ in Ferriday, Willie J. Ellis.

&uot;Thank you for giving us the privilege to do something in this neighborhoodŠbless this gathering, bless this foodŠand even the conversation,&uot; Ellis prayed, outloud for the group.

Then the conversation did begin as community members intermingled with the police and city officials. And there was eating too.

This community of neighbors, like many others throughout the city, know the importance of what Police Chief Mike Mullins spoke of to the residents &045; community participation.

&uot;No one can police this neighborhood as well as you,&uot; Mullins said.

National Night Out is designed for this purpose &045; to get neighbors together to get to know one another and to look out for one another, a deterrent for crime.

&uot;It shows the community that people in the community are working together,&uot; the cook and Lower Woodville Road resident Arthur Washington said. &uot;Let’s people know we care about our community.&uot;

The event also is a good time for children in the neighborhoods as the police handed out balloons, footballs, bracelets and pencils to the children.

&uot;The kids really enjoy it,&uot; Finger Lane resident Tonya Norman said. &uot;It keeps the kids doing positive things instead of negative things.&uot;

From there, the entourage of cars headed to Susie B. West Neighborhood Watch by the Susie B. West and Lower Woodville Heights apartments. Many children filled the recreation room of the apartment complex, ready and waiting for the police officers to come visit.

&uot;It is a good influence for the kids to see the police,&uot; tenant Vicki Drake said. &uot;We are trying to teach them about drugs and curfews and being safe.&uot;

Officer Charles Woods answered parents’ questions, addressing the whole room about when their curfew was &045; 10 p.m. on weeknights and midnight on weekends.

From one large group of children to another at City Park with the Creek Street Neighborhood Watch, the Frisbees were flying once the police officers handed out the prizes for the many children gathered with community members.

Another large group was gathered at the corner of Minor Street and East Oak Street, the fourth stop on

the National Night Out schedule.

In its eighth or ninth year, no one could tell for sure, this group really wants to keep this tradition alive for the children.

&uot;Do it so they can get acquainted and know the police officers are here for their protection,&uot; Williams Street resident and organizer Carolyn Smith said.

A small crowd was gathered at the end of Smith Street with a recurring theme from the others &045; many if not most of the attendants were neighborhood children.

A trip down Martin Luther King to 61 North led to McNeely Road and then to Oak Ridge Manor apartments. With smoke filling the air from the chicken on the grill, many neighborhood children gathered for food, fun and prizes.

As the police talked to children, handing out prizes and blowing up balloons, a few rushed over to meet the mayor.

Once they heard Mayor F.L. &uot;Hank&uot; Smith, sisters Diamond and Pearl Morgan ran to meet him. &uot;Let’s go talk to him,&uot; Pearl told her older sister.

Apartment manager Debbie Young said she likes to host the national night out in the complex because so many of the tenants can get together and get to know their neighbors.

&uot;Helps your community stay together and keep safe,&uot; Young said.

Longtime apartment resident Ethel Jones helped coordinate the event, dishing out chicken and corn to everyone, helping the neighbors &uot;feel good&uot; and &uot;get to know each other.

Just as the trip around the city for National Night Out was drawing to a close for the last stop, Dogwood Drive.

But the rain did not stop the residents or the police and city officials from continuing their &uot;night out.&uot; Moving under the carport when the rain began, the small group waited on their arrival.

Rebecca Singleton said she called many people to come because she thought it was a good idea but only a faithful few showed up Tuesday night. Singleton said the community is trying to start a neighborhood watch.

&uot;Can we count on y’all next year?&uot; Woods asked the small but lively crowd gathered under the carport.

&uot;Yes!&uot; came the mighty reply from the few that waited through the rain, standing together in their community.