National Night Out: Community Building Through Police-Community Partnerships

Neighborhoods throughout Virginia Beach are joining forces with 156 other cities throughout the Commonwealth and more than 17,000 communities nationwide for the 39th Annual National Night Out (NNO) on Tuesday, Aug. 1.

National Night Out is a national community-building campaign that enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. It is held annually on the first Tuesday in August to:

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness
• Generate support and participation in local anti-crime efforts
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community relations
• Send a message to criminals that local communities are organized and are fighting back

Several Virginia Beach communities have plans in the works to celebrate National Night Out this year:

• Buckner Farms Park, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
• Charlestowne East Park
• Chimney Hill Community, 6-9 p.m.
• Cypress Point Country Club, 7-8 p.m.
• Eastwind Apartments, 5-6 p.m.
• Fairfield Forest Park, 6-7:30 p.m.
• Fenwick Way Park, 5-7 p.m.
• Green Run Homes Association, 5-8 p.m.
• Landstown Community Park, 5-8 p.m.
• Landstown Meadows West Park, 5-8 p.m.
• Pembroke Meadows, 6-9 p.m.
• Ridgley Manor, 7-9 p.m.
• Rudee Heights Civic League, 5-7 p.m.
• Scarborough Square Park, 5:30-8:30 p.m.
• Twin Canal Village

Along with the traditional display of outdoor lights and front porch vigils, Virginia Beach neighborhoods celebrate NNO with a variety of events and activities such as cookouts, visits from local police, other first responders, City leadership and community partners, parades, flashlight walks, contests and youth programs.

NNO has proven to be an effective, inexpensive and enjoyable program to promote your neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships in our fight for a safer nation. Plus, the benefits your community will derive from NNO will most certainly extend well beyond the one night. Learn more about National Night out at natw.org.

Request VBPD at your NNO event or to contact your precinct’s community liaison officer.