On Tues., Aug. 7, Tacoma residents will mark the 24th annual National Night Out, an event that celebrates a night out against crime. National Night Out (NNO) provides an opportunity for people to get out and meet one another, while working to make their neighborhoods safer.

“National Night Out is a fabulous opportunity for neighbors to show that they are connected with their neighbors, a great crime prevention tool,” says Priscilla Lisicich, executive director of Safe Streets Campaign, which is helping to organize the event. “When all of us make the effort to come out and celebrate together, we visibly demonstrate good community values — and show that Pierce County is a strong community,” says Lisicich.

Last year, more than 6,114 people choose to celebrate National Night Out in a variety of unique ways — block parties, safety fairs, barbeques, picnics, and more. So far, over 85 groups have registered a party with Safe Streets this year, and attendance is expected to exceed 9,000 people.

“This is my fifth NNO since being a staff member of Safe Streets, and each year I look forward to this annual event as do so many NNO organizers throughout the county,” says Moni Hoy, community mobilization manager for Safe Streets. “NNO is a time for neighbors to come together and celebrate their crime prevention successes and to renew their commitment to keeping their neighborhoods safe.”

For more information about National Night Out celebrations near you, or to find out what you can do to make your neighborhood safer and healthier, call Safe Streets at (253) 272-6824.

Safe Streets Campaign is the first private, non-profit organization that unites neighbors against crime — a model for other programs nationwide. Serving Tacoma and Pierce County since 1989, Safe Streets equal a safe community. Both private and public funds support Safe Streets’ community efforts. Learn more at http://www.www.safest.org .