Kennesaw and Powder Springs are joining with thousands of communities nationwide for the 32nd annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event on Tuesday evening.
Held on the first Tuesday each August, National Night Out is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and supported, in part, by national corporate sponsor Target.
This event will involve more than 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world.
National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
For Kennesaw, residents in neighborhoods throughout the city are asked to lock their doors, turn on outdoor lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and friends from 7 to 10 p.m.
Many neighborhoods host a variety of special events such as block parties, cookouts, parades, flashlight walks, contests, youth activities and anti-crime rallies.
Also in Kennesaw, the city's police department will have several public safety vehicles on display from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Swift-Cantrell Park, 3140 Old Highway 41.
Crime prevention information for adults and special handouts for children will be distributed while supplies last.
Besides the Kennesaw Police Department, the local sponsor for the Kennesaw event is the Barrett Parkway Target.
The Powder Springs Police Department will host its first National Night Out at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Historic Downtown Town Square on Marietta Street at Pineview Drive.
The event will include a free community cookout, public safety demonstrations, police and fire vehicles, a K-9 demonstration, Georgia State Patrol helicopter, vendors, community organizations, games, prizes and giveaways.
Powder Springs Police Chief John Robison said, "We are excited to be able to participate this year with Target as a national sponsor. It is our hope that this year's inaugural event will serve as a platform for community engagement, education and service. We are looking forward to this event becoming an annual tradition in our community."
