‘National Night Out’ Is Tonight

Get ready for a fun night out, on your own block.

The Cedar Rapids Police Department is actively encouraging local residents to take part in "National Night Out" tonight, August 6.

"National Night Out is an opportunity to get to know your neighbors and work together to make our community even safer,” said Cedar Rapids Police Chief Wayne Jerman. It promotes community-building and neighborhood camaraderie as well as a chance to strengthen police and community relations.

While you're enjoying the company of your neighbors, you should also turn on your porch lights to promote neighborhood safety. National Night Out is basically a big block party with community safety in mind. You can host a picnic, pot-luck or backyard barbecue, anything to get your neighbors together and have fun and get to know each other.

"One of the best ways to protect your community is to know your neighbors — to know each other’s routines — that way, when something is wrong or off, you can recognize it,” according to Cedar Rapids Police Sgt. Laura Faircloth.

This year, National Night Out will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on August 6th in Cedar Rapids.

If you'd like to learn more about National Night Out or how to put together your own event, click here.

[Via Gazette]