A great effort

Tuesday will mark the 25th anniversary of National Night Out, which is celebrated in thousands of communities nationwide.

The annual National Night Out celebrations bring together residents of local communities with law enforcement people, EMS, firefighters and also mayors, city officials and council members as a way of strengthening our neighborhood spirit and community relations.

The purpose of National Night Out is to:
>> Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness.
>> Generate support and participation in crime prevention efforts.
>> Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community relations.
>> Send the message that our neighborhood is a safe place to live.

National Night Out provides the opportunity to network, advertise, meet our neighbors, community leaders and local organizations that can partner together and form new bonds of support between city officials and residents to help make communities safer places to live. National Night Out is a splendid opportunity for residents, law enforcement and other public safety officials to join forces to send the message that we are all working together to prevent crime, drugs and violence and keep our neighborhoods safe.

Check with your local police department about neighborhoods that are planning celebrations on Tuesday. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., residents are asked to turn on their porch lights, lock their doors, and spend time with neighbors, police officers, firefighters and all. I encourage people to participate in these events by volunteering to set up an event, party, contest, youth activities, raffles, parades and other celebrations.

National Night Out is a way of saying that we care for our city, and we want to make our city the best it can be, especially by strengthening our local neighborhoods.