National Night Out 2008 Tuesday, August 5, 2008 At Los Angeles Community Policing we believe active participation in community efforts is central to our mission ... to reduce crime and improve the quality of life. Each of the LAPD police stations supports this concept in a variety of ways, some more than others.

But virtually all the Divisions sponsor an annual National Night Out event (or more than one).  Some hold vigils, some have a march through the community and others hold more traditional town hall style meetings.

Regardless of what your local police station does, we encourage you to participate.  It's a lot of fun and a great way to meet both community members and police officers in a casual and friendly setting.

You'll no doubt learn about the many OTHER community related events / services held year round by your local LAPD police station.

To find out what National Night Out events are happening near you, first find your local Community Police Station (also referred to as a "Division" or an "Area" in LAPD lingo).  To do so, use the link we've provided below and click on the name of your community.  The correct local police station's home page will open for you, displaying the commanding officer's info as well as a lot of other useful information (NOTE: we recommend you bookmark this page).

In the list there's generally a "telephone directory" where you'll find a separate direct phone number for the Community Relations Office (CRO). These offices are usually manned by a Sergeant and another police officer (at a minimum) and they serve as your direct link to any number of services available to the community, as well as opportunities to participate in public safety.

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LAPD National Night Out events - find your local station
and then contact the Community Relations Office

http://LAPDonline.org/Our_Communities

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We hope you'll take this once a year opportunity to particpate in keeping your neighborhood safe!

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What is National Night Out?

It's America's Night Out Against Crime!

The "25th Annual National Night Out" (NNO), a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), has been scheduled for Tuesday, August 5, 2008. We cordially invite you and your community to be a part of our NIGHT OUT 2008 team.

Last year's National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 10,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, over 34 million people participated in National Night Out 2007.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is designed to:

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
• Generate support for, and participation 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.

The History of NATW and National Night Out

The National Association of Town Watch (NATW) is a nonprofit, crime prevention organization which works in cooperation with thousands of crime watch groups and law enforcement agencies throughout the country. Since 1981, NATW has been dedicated to the development, growth and maintenance of organized crime and drug prevention programs nationwide. NATW's network has grown to include over 6,500 crime, drug and violence prevention organizations.

National Night Out, 'America's Night Out Against Crime,' was introduced by the Association in 1984. The program was the brainchild of NATW Executive Director Matt A. Peskin.

In an effort to heighten awareness and strengthen participation in local anti-crime efforts, Peskin felt that a high-profile, high-impact type of crime prevention event was needed nationally. At that time, he noted that in a typical ‘crime watch community', only 5 to 7% of the residents were participating actively. Due to the growth and success of these programs, he felt this percentage was too low. Subsequently, he proposed a national program which would be coordinated by local crime prevention agencies and organizations - but that would involve entire communities at one time. The first National Night Out was introduced early in 1984 - with the event culminating on the first Tuesday in August.

That first year, 400 communities in 23 states participated in National Night Out. Nationwide, 2.5 million Americans took part in 1984. The seed had been planted. In subsequent years, participation has grown steadily. The 24th Annual National Night Out last August involved 35.4 million people in 11,310 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide. National Night Out 2008 will culminate on August 5th. Over 12,000 communities are expected to take part.

While the traditional 'lights on' and front porch vigils remain a part of NNO, activities have expanded considerably over the years to include block parties, cookouts, parades, visits from police, festivals, neighborhood walks, safety fairs, contests, rallies and meetings.

Peskin said, "It's a wonderful opportunity for communities nationwide to promote police-community partnerships, crime prevention, and neighborhood camaraderie. While the one night is certainly not an answer to crime, drugs and violence, National Night Out does represent the kind of spirit, energy and determination that is helping to make many neighborhoods safer places throughout the year. It [NNO] is a night to celebrate safety and crime prevention successes - and to expand and strengthen programs for the next 364 days."

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LAPD National Night Out events - find your local station
and then contact the Community Relations Office

http://LAPDonline.org/Our_Communities


General National Info

http://NationalNightOut.org

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