National Night Out is fast approaching. The 24th Annual National Night Out, a unique crime and drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 7, 2007.

Last year?’s National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from 11,125 communities from all 50 states and globally! Over 35.2 million people participated in NNO 2006. This year?’s ?“24th Annual NNO?” will be the largest ever!

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
?· Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back

NNO is celebrated with the traditional display of outdoor lights in neighborhoods. We are also celebrating National Night Out with a variety of events and activities such as porch parties, cookouts, drug marches and neighborhood programs.

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. The benefits our communities derive from National Night Out extend well beyond one night.

Once again National Night Out is sponsored by Target. We have made contact with our local Target stores in Tampa and they are very excited to participate with the Tampa Police Department at our local events.

In 2006, we had 29 crime watch groups participate in National Night Out at 21 different locations because several groups joined together at one location.

At your event be sure to take lots of pictures that will be included in our 2007 National Night Out video presentation at the Chief?’s Appreciation Dinner.

If your neighborhood would like to participate with the Tampa Police Department?’s 2007 National Night Out be sure to contact your District Crime Prevention team as soon as possible. If your neighborhood is going to have their event at a park we will assist your community with the necessary paperwork.

Please remember to also register your NNO event with the National Association of Town watch at ?“www.natw.org?”. Once you have registered your project your community coordinator will receive an organizational kit filled with ?“how-to?” materials such as: promotional ideas, guidelines, and camera-ready art. You will also receive information about ?“Project 365?” a unique component to the National Night Out campaign.

In 2007, which district will have the most neighborhoods participate?


By Maryanne Hunsberger