Cookouts, block parties abound for 31st annual National Night Out

The nationwide crime awareness and prevention program encourages residents to get together with neighbors tomorrow evening, August 5th.

August 4, 2014; 11:26 AM • by Trevor Dickerson

Dozens of neighborhood block parties will take place tomorrow evening, August 5th, for the 31st annual National Night Out across Henrico County.

In 2013, National Night Out involved over 37.8 million people in 16,242 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide, according to official data. National Night Out 2014 is expected to be the largest ever.

National Night Out is a yearlong, community building campaign designed to heighten crime prevention awareness; to generate support for and participation in local, anticrime programs; to strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and to send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Henrico Police Chief Douglas A. Middleton and his staff as well as Henrico Police Officers and many county officials will visit over 70 neighborhoods throughout Henrico County to strengthen police-citizens partnerships, according to an official release by the department.

Chief Middleton will start by visiting the Richmond International Raceway National Night Out event at 5:00 PM.

The night will be alive with cookouts, block parties, ice-cream socials, parades, and other fun events taking place throughout the county. Homeowners in neighborhoods that do not have events scheduled are asked to show their support by turning on their porch lights.

To see if your Henrico County neighborhood has a National Night Out event planned, visit the Henrico Police Division’s website or call the Prevention Services Unit at 804.501.4838.