National Night Out is tonight

Citizens team with cops to fight crime

The 32nd annual National Night Out is tonight in Memphis, Collierville and Bartlett. Local communities in the Mid-South are expected to team up with their police departments to work together on this day to fight crime.

The goal of “NNO” is for all residents to get together in their neighborhoods and communicate with each other to form strong community bonds. The activities help to build safer neighborhoods where everyone looks out for one another and takes a stand against crime to decrease criminal behavior.

NNO is designed to heighten crime and violence prevention awareness, generate support for and participate in local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Neighborhoods may participate by having block parties, cookouts, community walks, ice cream socials and more. During these events, participants will “turn on their porch lights and stand together in turning off the lights on crime.” In addition, neighborhoods that register their event with the police will be visited by officers and town leaders to meet and discuss issues within the community.

On Oct. 6, Bartlett will host another event, Bartlett Night Out, and the police department is asking for neighborhoods to organize events such as block parties, carnivals, flashlight walks and youth programs.