BLAINE, Minn. (August 8, 2013) — Neighborhoods across the state gathered together for the 5th annual Night to Unite, an evening aimed at strengthening neighborhood and community partnerships and increasing crime prevention awareness. The evening is also a good way for neighbors to get out and meet each other. Says neighborhood organizer Rita Ryan, “My neighbor and I are new to the neighborhood and we thought this would be a great way to get to know people.”
Members of the Blaine Police Department and Spring Lake Park – Blaine – Mounds View Fire Department make an effort to appear at all registered block parties in the city. For some, this year was the first time Night to Unite was celebrated in their neighborhood. And by all accounts, it was a success. “Just meeting the people– this is a new development,” Ryan says of her growing neighborhood, “I think in the last six months about ten homes went up, so it’s been really good to get to put the face on the house.” When asked if she would partake in the event again, Ryan responded with a smile. “Absolutely– we’ll do it next year!”
