Police encourage citizens to participate in annual National Night Out events

The Chesterfield County Police Department is encouraging county residents to plan neighborhood events and parties as part of the 24th Annual National Night Out on Tues., Aug. 7 from 6-10 p.m.

Residents can celebrate the fight against crime by hosting neighborhood block parties that bring residents and communities together. Police will provide registered hosts with a neighborhood party kit to make their event more festive, along with planning tips and ideas. Hosts may also request visits from McGruff the Crime Dog and members of the police department. Event hosts are asked to register their events by July 20.

National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug-prevention awareness, develop and strengthen partnerships between police and residents, and generate support for anti-crime programs such as Neighborhood Watch, Crime Solvers and Business Watch.

For more information, visit www.chesterfield.gov/PublicSafety/Police/nightout.asp or call Crime Prevention Officer Bryan Miltenberger at 674-7006 ext. 110.