National Night Out is a joint community/police program that provides information, educational materials and technical assistance to community groups to help develop an effective year-long partnership between the community and local law enforcement. Sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), the goal is to reduce crime, violence and substance abuse at the community level.
On August 6, millions of Americans in towns and cities from coast to coast will meet together in their neighborhoods to personally get involved in the fight against crime. National Night Out helps create crime prevention awareness in the neighborhood through a multitude of events, such as block parties, cookouts, parades, contests, youth events and seminars.
The NATW offers a number of services to communities that participate in National Night Out. It provides community leaders with a variety of “how-to” materials, including program guidelines, tips, questions and answers, camera-ready artwork, sample press releases and a National Night Out proclamation.
I’ll be attending the following events and hope to see you there:
RAMPART AREA
Rampart Community Police Station
1401 W 6th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Starting at 6 p.m.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
Pershing Square
532 S Olive Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
From 5 – 9 p.m.
BOYLE HEIGHTS
Hollenbeck Community Police Station
2111 E 1st Street
Los Angeles, CA 90033
From 5 - 8:30 p.m.
OLYMPIC
LAPD Olympic Station
1130 S. Vermont Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90006
From 6 – 9 p.m.
ADAMS-NORMANDIE
1658 W. 23rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Starting at 8 p.m.
FAQs for National Night Out
QUESTION: How can people use the "National Night Out” logo?
Answer: The "National Night Out" (NNO) names, logos, marks and themes are registered trademarks of the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). In accordance with federal regulations, the name or logo may not be used on any garments or any other promotional products. The NNO logos and related artwork may be used with flyers, posters, newsletters, press releases, etc. Use by any commercial, for-profit company, except for recognized and approved NATW/NNO sponsors, is strictly prohibited.
QUESTION: Is NNO only for already established watch areas?
Answer: No. The NNO is for all blocks and neighborhoods in any community. Existing Watch areas will likely be the best participants, but NNO can help with tough-to-organize areas. The NNO is most effective when it is an area-wide effort.
QUESTION: Can activities begin earlier than 7 p.m?
Answer: Certainly. The listed hours of 7 to 10 p.m. are only a suggested time frame. Some areas begin their activities at noon, some during the late afternoon, and some start at 6 p.m. The day/night should be tailored to best accommodate the community. Early starts are fine. Late starts (after 7 p.m.), though, can be a problem, because residents will have already settled into other evening activities.
QUESTION: The sun does not set in the community until after 9:00 p.m. Does that matter?
Answer: No. The fact that the sun does not set until a particular time should not affect the scheduling of your activities. The illumination of porch lights is symbolic. They can be on at 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. -- regardless of whether darkness has fallen.
QUESTION: Should individual blocks register with NATW -- or should they be registered locally?
Answer: In most cases, there is no need to have individual blocks register separately if the city/area/community has already registered with NATW. If it is an exceptionally large area, or if there is some reason that the neighborhood cannot be communicated with effectively, then have them register individually. Call the NATW office if there are questions.
QUESTION: What is the best way to keep track of the various participating blocks and neighborhoods?
Answer: One effective way is to develop a "Participation or Pledge Form" to distribute to block captains, neighborhood watch leaders, and other local coordinators. Instruct participants to list activities that they are planning: where, what time, approximately how many people, etc. Set a date for the form to be returned. As an incentive, include a question asking if the community/neighborhood/block would like a visit from an NATW officer (or perhaps the police/sheriff's department and the Assemblymember).
QUESTION: How can neighboring cities and towns get involved in NNO?
Answer: Encourage a representative to contact the NATW office, or contact the NATW.
Additional information is available at https://natw.org/.