Police, community are gearing up for National Night Out bash Oct. 2

The Pflugerville Police Department is asking residents to mark their calendars and register for one of the city’s biggest community events: National Night Out.

The city will join communities across the country Oct. 2 for the 35th annual event.

The community-building campaign provides an opportunity for residents and local law enforcement to join forces to promote crime and drug prevention awareness and strengthen police-community partnerships to make neighborhoods a safer place to live.

More than 16,000 communities across the nation take part in National Night Out each year, according to the National Association of Town Watch. The nonprofit group, which introduced the annual event in 1984, is supported by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the U.S. Justice Department’s office of justice program.

National Night Out has grown into one of Pflugerville’s largest community events. Last year, the National Association of Town Watch ranked Pflugerville the 11th best for cities with populations between 50,000 and 100,000. The ranking was based on the number of registered block parties, photos provided by the community and other factors.

The ranking marked the second consecutive time Pflugerville received the highest ranking for a Texas city in its population category.

Pflugerville’s high ranking and several other Texas cities faring well contributed to the state placing first in the nation. Nearby cities that ranked in different population categories included San Antonio, Hutto and Leander.

During the event, residents are asked to turn on porch lights from 7-10 p.m. and spend the evening outside with neighbors, police officers, firefighters and EMS personnel. In addition to outdoor vigils, many cities have celebrated with block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades and other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, contests and exhibits.

Participants are encouraged to take photos with neighbors and first responders with a National Night Out sign or flyer during the event.

Registration is required for parties so that police officers, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel and local officials can plan to attend the parties to meet neighbors.

To register, visit pflugervilletx.gov/ nno. For more information, call the office of community liaison at 512-990-6490.