By NC WANTED Staff

Posted: Jul 16, 2008
Updated: Jul 17, 2008

DURHAM COUNTY — DURHAM COUNTY: Durham police are gearing up to make the 25th anniversary of National Night Out a record-breaking year for community participation.

National Night Out is an event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watches that aims to bring law enforcement agencies and the community together in a partnership against crime. Each year, cities across the nation encourage residents to stand up against crime by turning on porch lights, hosting block parties or cookouts, organizing youth programs and visiting with local law enforcement officers.

In North Carolina, Durham has the highest community participation rate of the ten cities in this state that rank nationally for their National Night Out events. Last year, Durham had 120 neighborhoods participate in the event and ranked 10th nationwide among cities of its size, said Kimberle Walker, public affairs coordinator for the Durham Police Department.

Along with National Night Out, Durham police prioritize community participation in the fight against crime with programs like the Citizens Police Academy and the Partners Against Crime group.

"We recognize that to be a successful law enforcement agency, we have to have the participation and support of our citizens and residents," said Walker.

This year's event is scheduled for Tuesday, August 5 and is co-sponsored by NC WANTED. Neighborhoods can still register for the event by downloading the registration form off the Durham Police Deparment web site (or click the link in the gray sidebar at right).

Every neighborhood that registers will receive a personal visit from at least one Durham police officer to strengthen community-police partnerships.

"The more we grow, the more challenging it is for us to touch each and every neighborhood event, but we’re committed to doing that – to make sure at least one officer, but hopefully 2 or 3 sets of officers, will come by just to say 'thank you' to the citizens," Walker said.

National Night Out is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. "America's Night Out Against Crime" was born in 1984 in an effort to promote crime and drug prevention awareness with "a national program which would be coordinated by local crime prevention agencies and organizations - but that would involve entire communities at one time," according to the National Association of Town Watches' web site.

What started as front porch vigils has expanded into large community events like parades, block parties, festivals and neighborhood walks. Over 11,310 communities in all 50 states participated last year.

To learn more, browse the links in the gray sidebar at right.

If you have information on crimes in your area, call NC WANTED toll free at 1.866.43.WANTED or click on "Report a Tip" Your identity can be kept confidential.