Neighborhoods throughout Renton are invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide on Aug. 6 for the “30th Annual National Night Out” (NNO) crime and drug prevention event.

National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and co-sponsored locally by the Renton Police Department, will involve over 15,704 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, over 37.5 million people are expected to participate in “America’s Night Out Against Crime.”

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 neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

To celebrate National Night Out, the City of Renton will be hosting a large event from 4 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at Philip Arnold Park, 720 Jones Ave. S. It will include a BBQ, games, party hoppers for kids and much, much more. The event is free and will promote police-community partnerships and citizen involvement in building safer neighborhoods.

From 6 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 6, residents in neighborhoods throughout Renton and across the nation are encouraged to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police.

Many neighborhoods throughout Renton will be hosting a variety of special events such as block parties, cookouts, visits from police, flashlight walks, and youth activities.

To register your neighborhood event, please contact NNO Coordinator Cyndie Parks at 425-430-7521 or email cparks@rentonwa.gov. The Renton police department makes every effort to make an appearance at every function.