CINCINNATI -- Neighbors and law enforcement officials Tuesday evening in communities across the Tri-State turned on their porch lights and came out for local events as part of a national campaign to strengthen relationships, educate and have a little fun.
National Night Out is "an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie,” according to the National Association of Town Watch (NATW).
In Cincinnati Police District 3, police have partnered with community groups to work on crime prevention and safety, and they've seen a major decline in crime. Shootings are down almost 54 percent during the last 90 days, compared to the same period last year.
They celebrated with a cookout and other activities at the Price Hill Recreation Center Tuesday. Price Hill resident Emily Goodman said the event lets residents see police "in a different light and let them know that they are here for them and they can have fun."
Police also spoke about the importance of maintaining relationships in the communities where they work.
"They are our eyes and ears outside of the uniform," Officer Jennifer Dawson said of local residents who comprise the District 3 Resource Committee. "We depend on them a lot to go out in the community."
NATW formed in March 1981, and in 1984 began promoting National Night Out on the first Tuesday in August each year. Now, more than 37 million people in 16,500 communities in all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world participate in National Night Out.
"This is a night for America to stand together and promote awareness, safety, and neighborhood unity," said National Project Coordinator Matt Peskin. "National Night Out showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement in our ght for a safer nation. On NNO, we invite neighborhoods nationwide to join us and give crime a going away party."
Check the map below for your closest National Night Out location and times with Cincinnati Police and some surrounding communities.
