City Invites Public to 28th Annual National Night Out on August 2, 2011

The Oak Ridge Police Department Neighborhood Watch program will be participating in the 28th Annual National Night Out, “America’s Night Out Against Crime” on Tuesday, August 2, 2011 at A.K. Bissell Park. The National Night Out is a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, and is open to all citizens of Oak Ridge. The event was first introduced in 1984 to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for local anticrime programs, and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and has grown steadily throughout the years.

This year, the Oak Ridge Police Department and the local Neighborhood Watch groups will join forces to make the National Night Out a fun event for children and adults alike. The celebration takes place from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with live music from Brad Blackwell until 9 p.m. Free food and drinks will be given away to attendees. There will also be inflatables, bucket rides, fire hose games, a K-9 demonstration by Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and Oak Ridge Police Department, and information booths on site.

“Oak Ridge’s National Night Out is a great community event that helps to strengthen the relationship between the public and the Oak Ridge Police Department,” explained Jim Akagi, Oak Ridge Police Chief. “I am excited to attend my first National Night Out event in Oak Ridge and to have an opportunity to interact with the public.”

For more information contact Officer Randy Myers, Oak Ridge Police Department Neighborhood Watch Coordinator at (865) 556-6696.

News media contact: Diana Stanley (865) 425-3546 or dstanley@oakridgetn.gov.

2011 National Night Out Poster