The Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office will observe the 30th Annual National Night Out program on Tuesday, August 6, from 6-10 p.m. The National Association of Town Watch introduced “America’s Night Out Against Crime” in 1984 to promote community involvement in crime prevention activities, establish police-community partnerships, foster neighborhood camaraderie and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. Sheriff’s deputies will visit with several Fairfax County neighborhoods and communities. For more information on where Sheriff’s deputies are scheduled to attend or to invite Sheriff’s deputies to your neighborhood event, please contact Second Lieutenant Jonathan Ortiz at [email protected] or visit www.nationalnightout.org.
NATW’s Executive Director, Matt Peskin said, “While the one night is certainly not an answer to crime, drugs and violence, National Night Out represents the kind of spirit, energy and determination to help make neighborhoods a safer place year round. The night celebrates safety and crime prevention successes and works to expand and strengthen programs for the next 364 days.”
In 1984, 2.5 million Americans across 400 communities in 23 states took part in the first National Night Out. Today, the event involves over 37 million people and 15,000 communities from all 50 states, the U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide.