Dark clouds and spurts of rain didn’t stop the 10th annual Miss-Lou National Night Out Tuesday.

City officials such as Miss-Lou police officers, judges, aldermen, municipal court personnel and Miss-Lou Crime Stoppers tailed each other in a line of 12 cars to nine different neighborhoods &045; including a loop around Vidalia.

Natchez Police Chief Michael Mullins said the event benefits residents and city officials.

&uot;It’s a good opportunity for residents to get to know officials they aren’t familiar with,&uot; Mullins said.

The caravan stopped for 15 minutes at each neighborhood to enjoy the gathering.

Residents provided food and handed out toys to children in their neighborhood as they mingled with the city officials.

Judge Charlie Vess said helping to reduce crime in neighborhoods was his priority in the event. He said having a safe neighborhood attracts better jobs and education in all areas.

&uot;A safe community is where people like to move,&uot; Vess said.

Officials spoke to residents about how they can reduce crime through forming Neighborhood Watch programs and having an awareness of their neighbors.

&uot;At one time people didn’t know who their neighbors were, that has changed since the program started,&uot; said Charles Woods, NNO organizer and Natchez public relations officer.

Oak Ridge resident Odessa Stumps said she already saw a change in her neighborhood through the program.

&uot;Everyone seems to mend together like a family,&uot; she said.

Natchez Housing Authority program coordinator Bridgett Pollard gave out toys to eager children during the festivities at Kenny Graves subdivision.

&uot;It’s a good fellowship for the residents,&uot; Pollard said.

Woods said attendance for the event has doubled since it first began 10 years ago.

An estimated average of 30 people showed at each station. Neighborhoods were picked on a first-come, first-served basis by a neighborhood representative who requested to be part of the Night Out program.

Susie B. West Apartment resident Doris Drake said she called NNO organizers because she was a concerned citizen.

&uot;A neighborhood is only as good as the people who make it up,&uot; Drake said.

Drake has lived in her neighborhood for more than 20 years and still seeks safety for her home. &uot;Anywhere home is, I want to be comfortable,&uot; she said.

She said residents need to know that the police aren’t the enemy, but they are there to help. With a group of young residents in the apartment recreation room, Drake looked on as officials gave advice for the upcoming school year.

&uot;But above all (the program) shows that we care,&uot; Drake said.