DeKalb County residents are being encouraged by their elected officials and police to gather Tuesday night for National Night Out, an event that promotes crime prevention initiatives.

National Night Out is meant to show criminals that neighborhoods are fighting back through programs including neighborhood watch groups, law enforcement agencies, state and regional crime prevention associations, businesses and civic groups.

The event includes food, fire drills and crime prevention technology, and it will be hosted by the Target location at 4241 Lavista Road from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.