T.A.C.™ Program History – Seeing a decrease in citizen-community crime prevention involvement, representatives from the East Texas Crime Prevention Association and the East Texas Police Chiefs Association came together with a desire to generate increased participation in neighborhood association programs and other crime prevention activities in Texas neighborhoods. Believing that law enforcement and citizens have a responsibility to work together to protect our neighborhoods, the group concluded that the best course of action was to develop ways to restore East Texas residents’ interest in the planning of neighborhood block parties.


National Night Out™ is a nationwide program designed to increase crime prevention understanding, generate support/participation in crime prevention programs, improve police-community alliances, and to let criminals know that the community is in control. Although NNO™ has been successful across the nation, it was apparent to the group that planning successful NNO™ events (which take place in August) is simply too challenging for East Texas residents. Regardless of the commitment level of those planning the NNO™ events, battling the excessive heat and humidity of August in East Texas always proves to be too difficult. It was suggested that a crime prevention event be created for East Texas and set for the month of October.


Not only would the weather be more agreeable, but October is National Crime Prevention Month, making it the perfect time to generate increased participation in neighborhood association programs and other crime prevention activities in East Texas communities. To achieve this, law enforcement agencies across East Texas are joining forces to sponsor T.A.C.™ – Texans Against Crime™.
 

The T.A.C.™ program promotes neighborhood alliances to strengthen our communities and preserve the quality of life in East Texas. Through T.A.C.™, we can strengthen our communities by helping to educate our families, friends and neighbors on crime prevention. At the Lufkin Police Department, we are proud to support programs that improve the quality of life where we work and live. T.A.C.™ celebrations are being held throughout East Texas on the second Tuesday in October; this year’s T.A.C.™ celebrations will be held on Tuesday, October 9.
 

The T.A.C.™ program helps local governmental agencies inform residents that communities are safer when neighbors work together. Getting to know your neighbors is an important step in guaranteeing safety in your communities, so neighborhoods are encouraged to host "block parties" – turn on your lights and gather outside with your neighbors.


Some ideas for a successful block party include:

  • Contact the Police Department for tips on making your home and neighborhood safer or on how to organize a neighborhood Association, and then share the knowledge with your neighbors.
     
  • Host a potluck or a progressive dinner – each course is at a different neighbor's home.
     
  • Throwing an old-fashioned ice cream social.
     
  • Loosen up the crowd with an icebreaker game to get people to interact.
     
  • Play games - set up croquet in one neighbor's front yard and horseshoes in another.
     
  • Raffle safety products or services like security lighting controls.
     
  • Get the children involved - conduct a neighborhood essay or poster contest with topics like "what makes my neighborhood safe", and display the posters/essays at the party.