(Ferguson, MO) –Neighborhoods throughout Ferguson are being invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the 2015 National Night Out on Tuesday, Oct. 6. The event will take place at the Ferguson Community Center located at 1050 Smith Ave. from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. and will be led by Ferguson Police Officer Sean Gibbons.
“Generally, Ferguson neighborhoods come together very well to promote National Night Out. Neighborhood organizations have had cookouts and block parties each year,” said Officer Gibbons. “This year, since it is even more imperative that we come together as a community, I would like to see the biggest, most involved numbers ever as we support the theme of ‘Giving Crime & Drugs a Going Away Party’.”
The city will be hosting a variety of special activities at the community center for all residents to enjoy, including live music, food, family games and giveaways.
National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and co-sponsored locally by the Ferguson Police Department, will involve over 11,000 communities from all 50 states, US Territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. Events are designed to: (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts; (3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and (4) Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. In all, over 35 million people are expected to participate in ‘America’s Night Out Against Crime’ this October.
“This is a night for Ferguson to stand together with the nation to promote awareness, safety and neighborhood unity,” said Mayor James Knowles III. “National Night Out showcases the vital importance of strengthening neighborhood and law enforcement partnerships to reduce crime in our community.”