On Tuesday, August 5th, neighborhoods throughout the City of Snohomish are being invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the "25th Annual National Night Out" crime and drug prevention event. National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and co-sponsored by the Snohomish Police Department, Snohomish Neighborhood Coalition, and Snohomish Fire Department, will involve 11,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases around the world.

National Night Out is 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;
4. Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

From 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on August 5th, residents in neighborhoods throughout the City of Snohomish and across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights, and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police. National Project Coordinator Matt Peskin said, "This is a night for America to stand together to promote awareness, safety, and neighborhood unity.

National Night Out showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement in our fight to build a safer nation. On August 5th, we invite neighborhoods nationwide to join us in Giving Crime and Drugs a Going Away Party." This year, the City of Snohomish is hosting National Night Out at Averill Park/Snohomish Skate Park/Snohomish Boys and Girls Club in Snohomish. The event takes place on August 5th from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Highlights this year are the Skateboard Contest and a Kids Bike Parade. Special guests include: the Snohomish Police Department, Snohomish Fire Department, Snohomish Boys and Girls Club, Everett Naval Base, Providence Intervention Center for Assault and Abuse, Snohomish County Red Cross, Edward Jones (children's ID kits), Snohomish County Sheriff's Office Explorers Post, The Farm Youth Outreach, Snohomish Lions Club (providing school supplies), Snohomish Senior Center, Snohomish Neighborhood Coalition, and Historic Downtown Snohomish with Kids Karaoke.

Free food will also be available! In addition to this year's activities, we will be participating in Project 365. The goal of Project 365 is to bring improvements to a chosen area of our City. This will be announced at National Night Out. A kickoff party will be held at the Snohomish Boys and Girls Club at 4:00 p.m. on August 4th. We encourage all participants in the bike parade to decorate their bikes. Free supplies for decorating will be handed out at the kickoff party. If a child needs a helmet for the skateboard contest or the bike parade, those will also be available on August 4th and 5th.

We hope to see everyone at National Night Out and look forward to an evening of Giving Neighborhood Crime and Drugs a Going Away Party! For more information, please contact: Mary Gandee, Snohomish Police Department, 360-282-3205, or National Association of Town Watch, 610-649- 7055, www.nationalnightout.org.