National Night Out is Tonight!

National Night Out is a crime and drug prevention program that was designed to build partnerships between law enforcement and the community. Founded in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), National Night Out is held on the first Tuesday of August every year. This year, National Night Out is Tuesday, August 4, 2009, marking the 26th annual National Night Out.

During the first year of the program, 2.5 million Americans in 400 communities and 23 states participated in National Night Out. Since then, the event has grown to involve more than 37 million people in over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide.

Traditionally, citizens in participating communities were involved in a display of outdoor lights and front porch vigils. Activities have since expanded to include block parties, cookouts, parades, police visits, festivals, neighborhood walks, safety fairs, contests, rallies and meetings.

National Night Out is designed to:

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
• Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.