Brookings Police Chief Chris Wallace, front, and Lt. Donnie Dotson display the plaque the city received for hosting a National Night Out event in August. The Pilot/Submitted photo

Congratulations, Brookings. You’ve made national news.

The city has been chosen one of eight “Rookies of the Year” for its performance during the Aug. 2, 2011, National Night Out event.

Several hundred people showed up on a sunny summer evening for Brookings’ inaugural Night Out, held behind Evergreen Federal Bank. It featured information booths sponsored by several local organizations, a chance for residents to get close-up views of a fire engine, and free barbecued hot dogs.

 The party-like atmosphere allowed residents and visitors alike to talk informally with police, sheriff, fire and other personnel.

The award Brookings received came from the National Association of Town Watch, based in Pennsylvania.

“National Night Out has proven to be an effective, inexpensive and enjoyable program to promote neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships in our fight for a safer nation,” according to the organization’s website.

Judging was based on the quality of the program, including short- and long-term effect on the community.  Cities also were judged for the extent of citizen involvement and the level of law enforcement participation.

Brookings Police Chief Chris Wallace said the department submitted a detailed entry for judging by the National Association of Town Watch. It included examples of media coverage before and after the event, a list of all organizations that took part,  photos and other data. 

Wallace credited several area agencies for helping Brookings stand out.

“Our success would not have been possible without the joint involvement of the Curry County Sheriff’s Department, The Oregon State Police, Coos Forest Protective Association, Brookings Fire Department, Crescent City Police as well as Cal-Ore Ambulance,” he wrote in an email to the Pilot.

“It is always a great privilege to be involved in these types of events because of great people who support us, our community and our treasured way of life here in Southern Oregon.”

Wallace added that the site of the local Night Out will rotate between Curry and Del Norte counties “in an attempt to reach more of our citizens every year.” It’s tentatively planned for Crescent City this year.

Awards are given in 10 divisions, including various sizes of cities and for the best celebrations on military bases.

Brookings was joined in the Rookie of the Year category by Brighton and Vestavia Hills, Ala.; Akron, Ind.; the Housing Authority of Owensboro, Ky.; Hanska, Minn.; and Darien, Wis. Each city received a plaque denoting its accomplishment. 

National Night Out has been held for the past 28 years. Last year, it involved 37 million people in more than 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide.