Tonight is National Night Out; America's Night Out Against Crime

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Aug 05, 2014, 09:16 ET

WYNNEWOOD, Pa., Aug. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Tonight, citizens, law enforcement agencies, community groups, businesses and local officials in over 16,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide will join forces to mark the 31st Annual National Night Out (NNO) – a community safety event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). Nationally, over 37 million people are expected to participate in 'America's Night Out Against Crime' this year. National Night Out corporate sponsors are ADT, Kwikset, Nextdoor.com, Associa, Funflicks and Swank Productions.

National Night Out 2014 (PRNewsFoto/National Association of Town..) (PRNewsFoto/National Association of Town..)

"Neighborhoods and police across America are making a united stand against crime," said Matt Peskin, creator of the event and its National Project Coordinator. "It's a fun night which also has benefits throughout the year."

Along with the traditional "lights on" and front porch vigils, there will be thousands of crime prevention block parties, cookouts, parades, festivals, ice cream socials, neighborhood visits by local police, flashlight walks and neighborhood meetings.

National Night Out is designed to:

Heighten crime prevention awareness;
Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships;
Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Peskin added, "99% of us are law abiding. This is a night to celebrate our neighborhoods and our partnerships with local law enforcement."

For more information, visit nationalnightout.org.

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SOURCE National Association of Town Watch