Registration is available for the annual National Night Out organized by Kent Police to help prevent crime.
This year’s National Night Out is on Tuesday, Aug. 6, when neighbors and community members can organize events to gather to talk, eat and have a good time, according to a Kent Police statement. The registration deadline is Tuesday, July 30.
“When neighbors get to know each other, they look out for one another,” according to police.
Communities across the country participate in National Night Out.
Organizers must register their event in order to get visitors from the city of Kent to stop by and say hi and share some food and fun. Some neighborhoods have potlucks, food trucks, desserts, games, talent shows. The sky is the limit.
This is also a good time to set up a block watch or bring an old one back to life, according to police. You can have a map of your neighborhood set up so neighbors can sign up on the map with their information.
Here is information on registering and things to consider for your event:
• Think about what kind of event will work for you and your neighborhood. Are there a lot of kids in the neighborhood? Who is your target audience? Examples of past events: barbecues, potlucks, desserts, ice cream socials, music and games.
• Find help so that you can divide up the work. Determine the best place in your neighborhood to have the event and then identify start and end times for your event. Typical events run from 5 to 9 p.m.
• Make a list of everything needed for your event such as tents, tables, chairs, plates, silverware and napkins.
• Designate a photographer. Everyone will love to have pictures of the event afterwards and the police department will use photos for the NNO award application. Email them to the contacts listed at the end of the article.
• Give your neighbors plenty of notice: flyers, emails, printed invitations, social media.
• On National Night Out, have someone pick up giveaways at the Kent Police Department
• Have name tags for everyone – it’s easier to break the ice with a name.
• Make visiting teams feel welcome. And, make sure you invite them to have some food. Visiting teams can consist of city officials such as the mayor and city council members, police officers, firefighters and other city employees.
• To register in Kent, go online to kentwa.gov/departments/police-department/community-education.
Who to contact
For more information, Valley and West Hill neighborhoods contact Sara Wood of the Kent Police Department at swood@kentwa.gov or 253-856-5856. East Hill neighborhoods contact Stacy Judd at sjudd@kentwa.gov or 253-856-5883.
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