The 2018 National Night Out will be held on August 7 this year and many communities are in the planning stages for a successful event.

            According to the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), "National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances."

            NATW introduced National Night Out in August of 1984 through an already established network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, state and regional crime prevention associations and volunteers across the nation. The first annual National Night Out involved 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states. However, the event soon grew to a celebration beyond just front porch vigils.

            Neighborhoods across the nation began to host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more. Today, 38 million neighbors in 16 thousand communities across the nation take part in National Night Out.

            Many folks in our local communities have turned on their porch lights in the past to recognize the event.  Now is a good time to try and expand it. 

            In a time of divisiveness in all levels of government, a great opportunity is at hand to unify the towns and police departments into a making this year's National Night Out a healing moment.

            Organizing a single-event, held by local and state police, would be something to enjoy.  Perhaps something as simple as offering a place to gather and offer finger-printing for children, education giveaways for tots, safety handouts for adults, refreshments and an opportunity for community-police camaraderie at a public event.

            There are nay-sayers who wouldn't want this to happen.  Heaven forbid, we all try and get along for a change.  They wouldn't have anything negative to post on social media.

            In the past, there were several events held by a local police department that included County, State, and other police agencies who joined together to provide a fun and educational event for the people of the community.

             Can we do it again?