National Night Out celebrated tonight

Published 8:50 pm Monday, August 13, 2012

National Night Out, a “night out from crime,” will be celebrated at Beebe Memorial Park, Washington, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. today.

Bad weather last week caused the event to be rescheduled.

The Washington Police-Fire Department, Beaufort County Crime Stoppers, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement, N.C. State Bureau of Investigation and Washington Housing Authority will be out in force, sponsoring the community block party with free food and drink, contests, a DJ and dunking booth that will allow people to take turns trying to dunk local Washington patrol officers.

The fire department will have the Kids’ Safety House, a small-scale house used to teach children how to plan escape routes in a house fire, and police will launch a new bike registration program designed to expedite stolen bike investigations.

National Night Out is a yearly event designed to “promote neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships in the fight for a safer nation,” by spotlighting drug-prevention and crime-awareness anticrime programs. It also sends a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back, according to the official website.