(Sept 11) Kerrville Police Chief John M. Young and Kerr County Sheriff Rusty Hierholzer announce that on Tuesday, October 2nd, neighborhoods throughout Kerrville and Kerr County are being invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the "29th 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 Kerrville Police Department and Kerr County Sheriff's Office, will involve over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, over 37 million people are expected to participate in 'America's Night Out Against Crime'. Once again this year, Target is a national corporate sponsor.

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 6 to 10 p.m. on October 2nd, residents in neighborhoods throughout Kerr County 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 Kerrville and Kerr County will be hosting a variety of special events such as block parties, cookouts, parades, visits from law enforcement, flashlight walks, contests, youth activities and anticrime rallies.

National Project Coordinator Matt Peskin said, "It’s a wonderful opportunity for communities nationwide to promote police-community partnerships, crime prevention, and neighborhood camaraderie. While the one night is certainly not an answer to crime, drugs and violence, National Night Out does represent the kind of spirit, energy and determination that is helping to make many neighborhoods safer places throughout the year. It is a night to celebrate safety and crime prevention successes – and to expand and strengthen programs for the next 364 days.”

Any crime prevention organization, community group, block clubs, local businesses, homeowners associations, and neighborhood watch groups, etc. that are interested in participating is invited to contact and sign up with the Kerrville Police Department's Community Services Officer Paul Gonzales at 830-258-1371, if you live inside the city limits. If you live outside the city limits, call the Kerr County Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention Deputy Pam Hicks at 830-896-1216.