City invites residents to second annual National Night Out

Area residents are invited to join the city of Daleville and Fort Rucker in celebrating its second annual National Night Out Aug. 5 from 4-8 p.m. at Culpepper Park.

National Night Out began in 1984 in an effort to promote citizen involvement in crime prevention activities. The annual family event is designed to strengthen community spirit and the police-community partnership.

Daleville Department of Public Safety Chief Harvey Mathis said the event also sends a message to criminals.

“We want to send the message that our neighborhoods are organized and united and fighting back against crime,” Mathis said.

Activities during the family-friendly event will include several wet slides and exhibits from the Daleville Police and Fire Department, the Fort Rucker Department of Public Safety, the Dale County Sheriff’s Office, Alabama State Troopers, the Marine Police and many other law enforcement agencies, civic groups and local officials.

The event is free and open to the public, and food and snacks will be available for purchase. 

“This is a family event held to promote neighborhood spirit and our police-community partnerships in our fight for a safer community,” Mathis said.

While Daleville citizens enjoy all the festivities of the event this year, more than 15,000 communities from all 50 states, in addition to Canadian cities and military bases worldwide, will also be celebrating National Night Out at the same time, Mathis said.

This year will mark the 31st anniversary of the National Night Out event, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. 

The National Association of Town Watch (NATW) is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing and promoting various crime prevention programs, including neighborhood watch groups, law enforcement agencies and state and regional crime prevention associations that are devoted to creating safer communities.

For more information, contact Mathis at 598-4442 or visit www.natw.org.