National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances. Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August.

Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cook-outs and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, and exhibits. In our community, the celebration is hosted by the 104th Precinct Community Council at Juniper Valley Park and includes a concert sponsored by JPCA. This year, our co-sponsor is Queensboro UNICO and the band will be Shadetree Mechanics, a member of the New Jersey Blues Hall of Fame.

You may find out more about the history of National Night Out at natw.org. Pooch-owning members of this organization can sign up for their Dog Walker Watch Program. The program encourages neighbors to assist local law enforcement as extra eyes and ears while out strolling with their canines.