Bucking tradition to spare National Night Out (NNO) attendees from the blistering heat of early August, the National Association of Town Watch agreed recently to let Texas hold its NNO in October instead.

This year, NNO will take place on Oct. 7 in communities across Texas-and Texas only. If this alternate date is successful, the concept may be expanded in 2009.

“Hays County has an excellent Neighborhood Watch Program which results in the large turnout for National Night Out. We are excited about the October date for NNO, the weather will be much cooler and it also Crime Prevention Month,” Hays County Sheriff Allen Bridges said.

For the past 24 years, the National Association of Town Watch, headquartered in Wynnewood, Penn., has spearheaded the National Night Out initiative. When National Night Out first began, the first Tuesday in August was selected as the date for the event and this date has been consistent for the entire country.

Most citizens in Texas will agree that August is the hottest time of the year for such an event and this date has generated many complaints from party hosts and attendees. The Texas Crime Prevention Association felt that many residents were not participating because of the heat and they approached the National Association of Town Watch about possibly changing the date.