National Night Out

"America's Night Out Against Crime"

Annually, residents in neighborhoods throughout Chesterfield County and across the nation, lock their doors, turn on the outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police.

Many neighborhoods throughout Chesterfield will be hosting a variety of special events such as block parties, cookouts, parades, flashlight walks, contests, and youth activities where there will be visits by the police and other first responders.

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
• Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Steps to Plan Next Year's Block Party

Solicit help from your neighbors and form a committee. You will find that as a group, you will be able to generate some great ideas as to what type of event to plan. Your Block Captains may make excellent committee members. As the committee chairperson, assign tasks to your committee members. Examples of tasks might include:

• Advertising your event (flyers, newsletters, public meetings)
• Entertainment or speaker(s)
• Refreshments
• Selecting an event location (private home, cul‐de‐sac, vacant lot, church, etc.)
• Setup and cleanup

Plan a follow‐up meeting to discuss your communities' progress. Talk up your event with your neighbors, homeowners/civic association, local businesses, and places of worship. Watch it all come together and enjoy your 35th Annual National Night Out!