In preparation for the 30th anniversary of National
Night Out, the Richmond Police Department is inviting all residents and
neighborhood associations to be creative in their neighborhood parties on Tuesday, Aug. 6!
"National
Night Out is a perfect time to underscore our community policing model by
strengthening bonds between our police officers and residents," Mayor Dwight C. Jones said. "Our city is safer because of events
like this and I'm encouraging all neighborhoods to join us in recognizing the
30th anniversary celebration."
Community Youth
and Intervention Services Captain John Hall said the annual event is one that is the perfect time for
neighbors to get to know one another.
“They can organize
small block parties, host simple backyard barbecues or fellowship at one of the
larger community events,” he said. “And if they’re unable to attend an event,
they can participate by simply turning on their porch lights.”
Richmond has previously ranked in the
top 10 among cities its size across the country for National Night Out participation.
The goal for 2013 is the top five. “We want groups – large and small – to join
with us on Aug. 6,” Captain Hall said. “The more the merrier.”
The key to our ranking is registered
participants. To register your National Night Out event, visit our website, www.richmondgov.com/police
and click on the 2013 National Night Out Online Registration.
We hope citizens will also join Richmond
Police and Target stores for a National
Night Out kickoff event from noon to
4 p.m. this, Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Forest Hill Avenue Target, 7107 Forest Hill Ave. Officers will be
on hand with crime prevention materials and children’s fingerprinting ID kits.
The festive atmosphere also will include free food.
National Night Out is a night designed
to strengthen neighborhoods and the police-community partnership. The annual
party also helps police officers and citizens work together to support
anti-crime programs and heighten crime- and drug-prevention awareness. For more
information about National Night Out, please visit http://www.natw.org/
