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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. Lock your doors, turn on your outdoor lights and join your city government and police department in recognition of the 29th annual National Night Out Aug. 7.
White Plains will celebrate the event with an open house and a safety fair at its police headquarters at 77 South Lexington Ave. The safety fair will include a live band, giveaways and information on community service organizations.
"These events are valuable because it brings the community together on the focus of crime prevention and awareness," Public Safety Commissioner David Chong said. "It also enables us in the Department of Public Safety and our partners in the service provider community to build relationships and give the general public an idea of what services in public safety are available to them."
National Night Out began in 1984 and is organized by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), a nonprofit crime prevention organization. In 1984, 2.5 million people from 23 states participated. In 2011, 37 million people from all 50 states participated, according to the NATW website.
National Night Out activities have expanded from front porch vigils to include block parties, parades, festivals, contests and safety fairs, such as the one planned in White Plains this year.
According to the NATW website, the event is designed to:
- Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
- Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts;
- Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
- Send a message to criminals, letting them know neighborhoods are organized and ?ghting back.
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