Lincoln police invite town to a night out

[August 04, 2008]  On Aug. 5, neighborhoods throughout Lincoln are invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the 25th annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event. National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and co-sponsored locally by the Lincoln Police Department, will involve over 11,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, over 35 million people are expected to participate in "America's Night Out Against Crime" on Aug. 5. NNO 2008 is being supported in part by Target, the national corporate sponsor.

National Night Out is designed to:

1. Heighten crime and drug awareness.

2. Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts.

3. Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.

4. Send a message to criminals, letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

From 7 to 10 p.m. on Aug. 5, residents in the neighborhoods throughout Lincoln and the across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police. Neighborhoods throughout Lincoln are asked to host a variety of special events, such as block parties, cookouts, visits from police and other activities.

If you are interested in hosting a National Night Out event on Aug. 5, please contact the Lincoln Police Department and register your neighborhood. You will be given information that will assist in your planning.

[Text from file received from the Lincoln Police Department]