Hosts needed for community block parties

Local neighborhoods are invited to join forces with thousands for the "24th Annual National Night Out" (NNO) crime and drug prevention event on Tuesday, Aug. 7.

Those interested in hosting a party for their block or street should contact their local police department for more information and to sign up.

National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and co-sponsored by local police departments, will involve over 9,500 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, over 32 million people are expected to participate in America's Night Out Against Crime on Aug. 7.

Once again this year, NNO 2007 is also supported in part by the U.S. Department of Justice.

National Night Out is designed to: (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts; (3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and (4) Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhood are organized and fighting back.

From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on August 7 residents in neighborhoods throughout the area and across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and the police. Many neighborhoods throughout Whitehouse will be hosting a variety of special events such as block parties, cookouts, and visits with police and fire, contests and anti-crime rallies.

"National Night Out is an extraordinary way to build neighborhood unity and strengthen police-community partnerships. Neighbors meet neighbors, and citizens and local law enforcement have the opportunity to enhance their relationships," said Matt Peskin, national project coordinator.

Detective Mary Pyle, community resource coordinator with the Whitehouse Police Department, echoed Mr. Peskin's sentiments, adding "This is a great chance to open lines of communication with citizens and the police."