National Night Out

We just got home from the 27th annual National Night Out for Safety at Ballast Point. We only meant to stay a little while, but there were many interesting safety related agencies and vendors. Of cource Tampa Fire Rescue had two trucks open for inspection, but the infamous personnel carrier was there as well. I was told that this carrier with the rubber tracks is the second preferred vehicle, the primary one has wheels and is easier to get around the city in a catastrophe. It is used every time the SWAT team is called, and can ram doors and walls, and will pretty much intimidate the bad guys. Tampa Police and even the FBI were present and eager to answer questions.

Officer Russell Spencer, a Tampa Rescue and Recovery Diver is one of 14 full time divers for

the city. He says that they have been called out for suicide jumps into the Hillsborough River. (Heck, if the alligators don't get them first!)

A few of the other agencies present included:

The Elder Helpline (1-800-963-5337) is your starting point for information and referral in the community. Nice people helping nice people. They will steer you to senior programs and services.

The Community Mediation Program (813-272-5642) offers a forum for resolving conflicts prior to a matter being filed in court, and handles issues from neighborhood arguements to dissolution of marriage. There is no charge for this service.

Tampa Police offers a seminar entitled Refuse to Become a Victim. Tactical trainer Michael Vasquez, a retired U.S. Marshal, works at the police academy, but will come to our community to teach this safety seminar. We should get this guy to come in the fall when our snowbirds return.

There were free food and drinks and lots of giveaways. This was a great example of going out and having some fun without spending a dime. The Home Depot had a nice display of many safety related items for your home. They have many home services available. More on this later.

And then the storm came.