CONWAY, Ark. - Today, August 7, neighborhoods across Arkansas are invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the "29th Annual National Night Out" crime prevention event.
National Night Out will involve over 15,000 communities from 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world.
The event is designed to:
- Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
- Generate support for and participate in local anticrime efforts;
- Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police/community partnerships; and
- Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
All Conway residents are invited to attend a block party organized by the Special Operations Division of the Conway Police Department. It's set to kick off at 6 p.m. tonight at CPD's Pine Street Substation.
Kroger, Target and Center Point Energy are sponsoring this event and will be providing and preparing hotdogs, chips, and drinks. The Conway Fire Department is bringing out their sprinklers and the Conway PD's Explorers are bringing their dunking booth. Officers will also be on scene to pass on crime prevention tips, recruit, and develop a partnership with the community.
Meanwhile residents from Jacksonville neighborhoods are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police at Nixon Library from 4-7 p.m.
There will be games for children including a bouncy house, free food, safety information, free fingerprint kits for children, guest speakers and more.
For those not attending an organized block party, Project Coordinator, Sgt. John Zanin with Conway Police is encouraging you to start your own block party in your neighborhoods.
"From 6 to 10 pm, turn the outside lights on, get outside, cookout and just spend the evening getting to know your neighbors," says Zanin.