Tuesday evening (8/6/2013) brought the National Night Out Against Crime to Rutherford County. Here in Murfreesboro there were community gatherings at the Oaklands Historic House Museum park, Patterson Community Center, Franklin Heights, Spring Valley Apartments and SportsCom. And during the 5:00 to 8:00 o'clock time frame the Veterans Park in La Vergne was packed with area residents. 

Murfreesboro Mayor Tommy Bragg said . . . 

Delicious food is always a part of the National Night Out Against Crime events. Sweet T's (above photo) did the honors at Oaklands. 

Obviously, the Murfreesboro Police Department is a major ingredient in this annual event. Murfreesboro Police Chief Glenn Chrisman told WGNS News

Each National Night Out Against Crime location featured booths spotlighting services that benefit nearby residents.

St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital's new Mobile Medical Mission unit was a part of the evening's events. It gave citizens an opportunity to see how the local hospital continues to expand its services to provide for the health needs of the Heart of Tennessee.

In addition to the numerous attractions, local leaders in each community had an opportunity to talk with the mayor, police and fire chief, park's director and other government leaders.

The purpose is to get neighbors together and become aware that they can reduce crime by watching out for others.  It was also a great opportunity to get to know city officials (photo below) Murfreesboro City Councilwoman Madelyn Scales Harris (wearing National Night Out T-shirt) talks with volunteers at the big gathering. 

Topiary In Parks

Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Department Director Lanny Goodwin said that the National Night Out was a great opportunity to get more residents to discover all of the things our local parks and greenways have to offer.

(above photo)  A topiary is a wire sculpture that allows for vines and plants to grow around and through it to take on the shape of the art piece. This piece of public art is located near the Oaklands spring and features a lifesize man of the 1800's relaxing on the lawn. Others feature horse and plow, Civil War soldiers and images that tell about this community's local history. 

(Photo Below) Another piece of topiary public art at Oaklands Historic House Museum depicts a farmer guiding a plow that is being pulled by a horse. 

Goodwin was proud as he described the new topiaries that are a fascinating part of the park that's being created next to Oaklands Historic House Museum.

Goodwin said . . .

Murfreesboro Police Department's Sergeant Melvin Cunningham (photo below) has coordinated this city's National Night Out event for the past sixteen years.

Sergeant Cunningham told WGNS news . . .