Washington Area Gears Up for National Night Out

If you are like 81 percent of Americans, you don’t know all of your neighbors by name. This Tuesday, August 2, local police departments are hoping to change that with the 28th annual “National Night Out: America’s Night Out Against Crime.”

By urging you to turn on the porch lights, lock the doors, get outside, and get to know the people that live in your neighborhood, police departments are hoping that neighbors will know each other better and keep their communities safer.Last year, more than 37 million people in communities across the country participated in National Night Out, a collaboration between the National Association of Town Watch, local police departments, and neighborhood organizers held the first Tuesday of August every year Here in Washington, that meant block parties, cookouts, baseball games, and bike rides, all in the name of community spirit and crime prevention awareness.

This year, every police district in the city will be holding neighborhood-centric National Night Out events, as will many surrounding counties and communities. Dancing, face painting, ice cream socials, pool parties, and visits from McGruff the Crime Dog are all on tap, in addition to the symbolic front-porch vigil tradition (residents are asked to keep their porch lights on from 7 PM to midnight in show of solidarity and community). All events are free, family friendly, and open to the public.

The DC citywide kickoff will begin at 6 PM at the Deanwood Recreation Center in the Sixth District. Not in DC? Check out our roundup below of where to find out what’s happening near you.

DC: Neighborhoold baseball games, zumba dancing, moon bounces, block parties, and more at eight locations around the city. Details and contact information available here.

Alexandria: Hot dogs and a pool party in Del Ray. Click here for more information.

Fairfax County: Neighborhood events planned in seven police districts. Find out more here.

Montgomery County: A list of event—some open to the public, some reserved for neighborhood members—can be found here.

Prince George’s County: Over 40 events planned at rec centers, schools, and parks across the county. A list of locations and times is available here.

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Kathleen Bridges