‘National Night Out’ community safety program set for Aug. 4

Published 11:27 am Thursday, July 30, 2015

SILVERDALE – Citizens, law enforcement agencies, community groups, businesses, youth organizations and local, state and federal officials from more than 16,200 communities in all 50 states, U. S. territories, Canadian cities and U. S. Armed Forces installations worldwide, will join together for National Night Out 2015 next week.

Sheriff Gary Simpson invites county residents to join him, sheriff’s office personnel and other public safety agencies for Kitsap County’s National Night Out event from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 4, at the Haselwood Family YMCA.

The YMCA is located at 3909 NW Randall Way in Silverdale.

This year’s National Night Out is presented by the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office together with the Silverdale Target store and the Haselwood Family YMCA. This year marks the 32nd anniversary of the program. National Night Out is traditionally held each year on the first Tuesday in August.

“We value National Night Out because it provides a forum for residents and communities to come together with a common purpose,” Simpson said. “It stresses the importance of communicating with each other, and with our public safety agencies, and of taking an interest in what is occurring in our respective neighborhoods.”

National Night Out, a year-long community building campaign, is designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, generate support and participation in  local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. The program aims to send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and observant.

“While this one night is certainly not an answer to crime, drugs and violence, National Night Out represents the kind of spirit and determination to help make our communities a safer place year round,” Simpson said. “The night celebrates safety and crime prevention successes; it works to expand and strengthen programs for the next 364 days.”