Pflugerville rates well in National Night Out
Engineering students and industry professionals networked last week at the first STEM Robotics Showcase, put on by the Bastrop Economic Development Corp. Students in engineering programs across Bastrop County were invited to celebrate their work, play with robots and meet some of the top professionals in their fields.
Pflugerville hosted one of the best National Night Out events in the United States, according to a recent ranking by the national organization overseeing the program.
The National Association of Town Watch, which introduced the first National Night Out in 1984, released rankings this month showing Pflugerville placed 11th best for cities with populations between 50,000 and 100,000.
Rankings by the association for cities were based on the number of registered block parties, photos provided by the community and other factors, according to a news release.
The ranking marks the second consecutive time Pflugerville has received the highest ranking for a Texas city in its population category. Cedar Park, which ranked 20th, was the only other Texas city that landed in the top 25 this year in the same category.
Mayor Victor Gonzales said he has participated in the event for more than a decade, allowing children to better know “our men and women in uniform.”
“Public safety is a priority for Pflugerville, (and) this is one way we promote community policing,” he said.
Inclement weather nearly canceled this year’s National Night Out in Pflugerville on Oct. 3. Gonzales noted one thing about Police Chief Jessica Robledo: “Cancellation is not in her vocabulary.”
“We appreciate our community members braving less than desirable weather conditions in order to connect with us,” Robledo said in a statement. “This is a huge accomplishment that is shared by everybody’s interactions and involvement.”
The Police Department, Fire Department and EMS crews headed to parties as light rain came to the area, Gonzales said. He said the crowds who held their block parties despite the rain motivated everyone.
“We did have to go rescue some delicious brisket that was being gently prepared in a nearby pop-up tent,” Gonzales added. “It was well worth the visit.”
Pflugerville’s high ranking and several other Texas cities faring well contributed to the state placing first in the nation. Among those cities — ranked in several different population categories — were Arlington, San Antonio, El Paso County, The Woodlands, Longview, Richardson, Plano, Coppell, Hutto, Leander and Live Oak.
National Night Out has grown into one of Pflugerville’s biggest community events, with neighborhood groups across the city organizing block parties. The event aims to strengthen relationships between neighbors and first responders.