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National Night Out
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TueAug 1

National Night Out – August 1, 2023

Every year on the first Tuesday in August, this year on August 1, the United States and Canada celebrate National Night Out day. Civilians, organizations, and the Metropolitan Police Department join hands to enhance the relationship between neighborhoods and communities. They look at this as a great way to bring everyone together for a positive cause.

History of National Night Out

The origins of National Night Out day begin with Matt Peskin, way back in 1970. Peskin was a regular volunteer for the Lower Merion Community Watch program — which worked with the Lower Merion Police Department in the western suburbs of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Peskin would often patrol local areas and soon introduced a newsletter on community successes and local volunteer work. This was when he realized that new content for the newsletter was very difficult to find. He began reaching out to the surrounding communities for help and noticed they all had local groups of neighborhood watches but no way to connect to or even identify other groups. Neighborhood watches as a concept began in the U.S. in the late 1960s. As incidents of criminal activities rose in this period, the collective consensus was that the U.S. needed local watch groups that were focused on residential areas. The National Sheriffs’ Association partly funded the creation of the National Neighborhood Watch program in the 1970s, and local groups have been contributing to safety and security since then.

Almost 10 years later, Peskin established his own group — the National Association of Town Watch. This group linked all neighborhood town watches, provided them with resources, and gave them assets to help them stay up and running. Three years later, we got our holiday. By the time this event came around, Peskin and the National Association of Town Watch had created a large network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, state and regional crime prevention associations, and even volunteers across the U.S. The first celebration was huge — 2.5 million neighbors from 400 communities in 23 states. Recently, the Dog Walker Watch has joined this program, and now, our canine neighbors are patrolling and keeping our communities safe, right alongside humans.

National Night Out timeline

1970
The Idea Takes Root

Volunteer Matt Peskin realizes how many local community groups exist and how many know nothing about the others' existence; recognizing the need for a shared platform.

1972
National Neighborhood Watch Program Launches

Funding is given by the National Sheriffs' Association via a grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

1981
National Association of Town Watch

Matt Peskin establishes a special organization that builds a bridge between local law enforcement, civic agencies, and neighborhood watches.

August 1984
Our Day is Created

The National Association of Town Watch creates the National Night Out campaign.

National Night Out FAQs

Will National Night Out happen in 2021?

Multiple state websites and the official National Night Out website show the celebrations are well on track and are scheduled for the first Tuesday in August.

What is National Night Out Against Crime?

This is an awareness program to spread goodwill and create long-standing bonds between local citizens, law enforcement, and society. This day also serves to encourage participation and support in anti-crime programs.

Who pays for National Night Out?

Founded on $15,000 given by the National Crime Prevention Council’s grant from the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the funding for National Night Out has increased exponentially from various sources.

How To Celebrate National Night Out

  1. Attend a National Night Out celebration

    Many states including Pennsylvania, Minneapolis, and California host annual celebrations on this day. Check state websites and news online to find events around you, and make sure to attend one.

  2. Volunteer for various activities

    Another way to help out is to find various volunteering opportunities from official websites. They might need event organizers, social media experts, or even someone to handle queries.

  3. Buy official merchandise

    The official National Night Out website (natw.org) offers various products for sale. At present, they have shirts, caps, banners, accessories, and other giveaways specially branded for these celebrations. Grab a few different items and hand them out to friends, too, to raise more awareness about this day.

5 Fun Facts About National Night Out

  1. Texas celebrates on a different day

    While the rest of the country observes this day on the first Tuesday in August, Texas celebrates it on the first Tuesday in October.

  2. The first celebrations were simple

    The initial festivities included neighbors sitting in front of their homes with the porch lights on.

  3. The popularity is growing

    While the first celebration included 2.5 million residents, by 2016, 35 million U.S. citizens had joined in these festivities.

  4. The celebrations vary wildly

    The festivities can be as simple as backyard cookouts or as large-scale as exhibits, fun rides, sports tournaments, and even floats.

  5. The largest celebration

    Multiple websites state that the South Central Hilltop Block Watch in Columbus has the largest celebration, including live music, food, and amazing entertainment.

Why We Love National Night Out

  1. This day links communities

    This nationwide event bridges the gap between states and between local communities within them. Their resources, assets, and information are easily shared via common platforms.

  2. It helps people see officers in a better light

    The more police persons and law enforcement interact with the common public — a key focus of these celebrations — the better their relationship gets. This is also a great opportunity for the two groups to partner up to prevent crimes.

  3. It brings neighborhoods together

    The camaraderie that builds as neighbors come together to celebrate this day cannot be overlooked. The celebrations that mark this day bring people together, making them more likely to get involved in the community and local crime-fighting programs.

National Night Out dates

YearDateDay
2022August 2Tuesday
2023August 1Tuesday
2024August 6Tuesday
2025August 5Tuesday
2026August 4Tuesday
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