The Carson City Sheriff’s Office and the National Association of Town Watch will co-sponsor the 27th Annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event at Mills Park on Tuesday, Aug. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Carson City will join forces with thousands of communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, more than 36 million people are expected to participate in America’s Night Out Against Crime.

National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Carson City Sheriff’s Office hosts a special public safety event which represents the culmination of all of our efforts to fight crime, drugs and violence in our community and is the largest crime prevention event of the year. The theme continues to be “Carson City Crime Fighting Partnerships.” Public safety and citizen partnerships are keys to improving quality of life. National Night Out helps citizens get informed on ways to protect themselves and prevent crime.

A new addition to the event will be a demonstration of crime mapping by the Carson City Sheriff’s Office. Citizens can use the technology to check on crimes happening in their neighborhood.

“The most powerful community is an informed community. We post information on our website — including statistics from the Uniform Crime Reporting not to cause alarm or fear but so that citizens can be aware of trends in crime and take appropriate measures to protect themselves," said Carson City Sheriff Ken Furlong. "An important point that we want to stress is if you see something that 'just doesn’t look right' — call it in. Your call is never wasted. It may deter or could help solve a crime.”

Increased lighting is an “environmental design” used to reduce the risk of crime, so citizens are invited to turn their porch lights on, lock their doors and spend the evening at Mills Park with law enforcement, public safety agencies and their neighbors.

“National Night Out is the single largest crime prevention event held in Carson City," said Undersheriff Steve Albertsen. "Every year we see an increase in sponsorship and participation from agencies and citizens. We encourage everyone to come out and join us — and turn your porch light on.”

Carson City has community support with sponsorships coming from Target Stores (the national corporate sponsors), Smith’s Food and Drug, Grocery Out Let, Economy Speed Press, Benson’s Feed, Empire Ranch Golf Course, the Carson City Downtown Business Association, Cal Neva Towing, Kemp’s Fun Jumpers’, Nevada Appeal, Carson Now, and Round Table Pizza — all working toward a safer Carson City.

The size and magnitude of this event would not be possible without the incredible assistance from our businesses. Additional costs for National Night Out are paid for the Carson City Sheriff’s Office and through a direct allocation grant funded by the BJA Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance.

Present will be representatives from the Carson City Sheriff’s Office, Department of Public Safety, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), local military including the United States Marines, Nevada Air National Guard, United States Army, other military branches and numerous other organizations. There will be music, free hot dogs (while supplies last), hands-on activities, vehicle and equipment display, and, of course, fun.

“This is a night for America to stand together to promote awareness, safety and neighborhood unity," said Matt Peskin, national project coordinator. "National Night Out showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement in our fight to build a safer nation. On Aug. 4, we invite neighborhoods nationwide to join us in Giving Crime & Drugs A Going Away Party.”

National Night Out started in 1984 with 400 communities in 23 states, and 2.5 million Americans participating. The 27th Annual National Night Out in 2009 involved 36.7 million people in 14,625 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide. Carson City Sheriff’s Office has experienced a steady increase of agency and citizen participation and has been nationally recognized for the past several years for “Outstanding Citizen Participation”.

For more information please contact Lisa Davis at Carson City Sheriff’s Office at (775) 887-2500 ext. 41930.