National Night Out is a nationwide crime and drug prevention event involving 1,700 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world, with over 27 million people participating. National Night Out was established to promote an awareness to crime and drugs and encourage a cooperation between citizens and the police in the fight against crime and drugs.

National Night Out takes place the first Tuesday in August, Neighborhood Watches and citizen groups are encouraged to have block parties and get together with their neighbors to show their support in the fight against crime. Neighbors are asked to turn their porch lights on that night as a symbol of their participation.

This coming August, plan to have an event in your neighborhood and invite your district patrol officer or detective to attend. For further information contact the Police Community Service Unit at (816) 325-7876. 

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NATIONAL NIGHT OUT - AUGUST 2nd, 2011

INDEPENDENCE TO JOIN CITIES NATIONWIDE FOR

‘America’s Night Out Against Crime’

On Tuesday, August 2nd, neighborhoods throughout Independence are being

invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the "28th Annual National Night Out" crime and drug prevention event. This will be Independence’s 3rd annual event. National Night Out is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and co-sponsored locally by the Independence Police Department and Parks and Recreation Department.

This event will involve over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. Territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all over 37 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.

From 6 to 8 p.m. on August 2nd, residents in neighborhoods throughout Independence and across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police.

Officer John Syme and Officer Rob Romey, with the Independence Police Department, have arranged four separate "block parties" where residents can get to know one another and local police officers. We invite neighborhoods city wide to join forces with us to "Give Crime and Drugs A Going Away Party".

There will be one block party in each of the city council districts, as follows:

District 1- McCoy Park- 800 N. Bess Truman Parkway

District 2- Athletic Complex - 17800 E. Salisbury Road

District 3- Waterfall Park - 4501 S. Bass Pro Drive

District 4- Rotary Park - 10615 E. 24^th Street

At each party there will be food, games, and demonstrations from the various units within the police department, including the Independence Police K-9 Unit.

The event will be held simultaneously at each park from 6-8 PM on August 2^nd, 2011.

Contact: Officer John Syme, Crime Prevention Unit, (816) 325-7643