On Tuesday, August 2nd, neighborhoods throughout Benton are being invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the 28th Annual National Night Out (NNO) crime and drug prevention event.  National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and co-sponsored locally by the Benton Police Department, will involve over 15,000 communities from all 50 states.  In all, over 37 million people are expected to participate in ‘America’s Night Out Against Crime’. 

    National Night Out is designed to: (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts; (3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and (4) Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. 

    From 7 to 10 P.M. on August 2nd, residents in neighborhoods throughout Benton, and across the nation, are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights, and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police.  Many neighborhoods throughout Benton will be hosting a variety of special events such as block parties, cookouts, parades, visits from the police department, flashlight walks, and youth activities. 

    This is a night for citizens to take a stand against crime in their areas and to commit to being an extra set of eyes to alert us to criminal activity.  Officers cannot be everywhere at once therefore through the neighborhood watch program we are able to provide more effective enforcement to our citizens.

     For more information on the neighborhood watch program or National Night Out please contact Sgt. Justin Tittle or Lt. Kevin Russell at 776-5948.