By Kay Whatley, Editor
National Night Out (NNO) is “a community-police awareness-raising event in the United States.” Municipalities or their police departments generally organize NNO events for the first Tuesday in August — though some locations choose an alternate date.
Join the NNO events near you this year, and have an opportunity to meet your neighbors. Be a visible part of your community. Shake a policeman’s hand and let them know that it’s understood that most of them care for their communities. Take this national event to heart and be a part of it. Let’s make this a positive, inclusive night.
For those near the Five County area of Eastern NC, locally scheduled NNO events are listed below. A coastal event is included in the list.
Bunn NC
The third-annual National Night out will be celebrated Tuesday, August 7, 2018, 6-7:30pm, at Bunn Town Hall, 601 Main Street, Bunn NC. Bring a lawn chair for comfort. There will be free hot dogs and giveaways for children.
Bunn Police Department’s 2018 event flyer may be viewed here (PDF). Police Department contact information is on the Town of Bunn website (new).
Fayetteville NC
This event is scheduled for Tuesday, August 7, 2018, 5-9pm, with local events organized by Community Watch groups. To see locations, visit the Fayetteville NC NNO web page.
Franklinton NC Police Department
NNO will be Tuesday, August 7, 2018, 6-9pm, at multiple locations in Franklinton NC. Meet local law enforcement, town officials, and first responders. See list of locations on flyer posted by Franklinton PD on Facebook here.
Watch for updates on the police department’s Facebook page.
Goldsboro NC
This NNO is scheduled for Tuesday, August 7, 2018, 6-9pm. Join together in the spirit of unity and take a stand against violence. There will be free food, games, a Resource Fair, live entertainment, and more. Held at Herman Park, 1101 Park Avenue, Goldsboro NC.
Updates may be posted via the Facebook event. The town is online at www.goldsboronc.gov.
Greenville NC
For National Night Out, Greenville will hold a Street Food Festival on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, 5-8pm, at Five Points Plaza, W Fifth Street at Evans Street, Greenville NC. There will be live music, children’s activities, and food trucks. Greenville Police Department and Greenville Fire Rescue will be there to commune with the community. See details on the town government website.
Nags Head NC
Rocky Mount NC
Rocky Mount Mills
On Tuesday, August 7, 2018, 6-8pm, join first responders at Rocky Mount Mills, 1151 Falls Road, Rocky Mount NC. Rocky Mount Mills will be hosting this third-annuel event. Enjoy free music, food catered by the Nash County Sheriff’s Office, corn hole, an inflatable, and more. This is designed to be a fun opportunity for police and neighbors to gather together. Watch for updates on the Rocky Mount Mills Facebook page.
Local Communities
Twenty local communities will take part in NNO on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, with activities around the city including a back-to-school festival, block party, cookout, potluck, hot dog and ice cream social, and an open house. Officers from the Rocky Mount Police Department will visit the various communities and speak on selected topics including crime and drug prevention. Giveaways will be available in some locations. For more information regarding NNO locations around the city, call Yvette Jones, Rocky Mount PD, at 252.972.1436. Note that some outdoor locations may postpone in the event of rain.
Tarboro NC
Tarboro PD’s NNO will be Tuesday, August 7, 2018, 6-8pm, at the Town Commons, 500 N Main Street, Tarboro NC. Free hot dogs and cake, special guests from It’s a Zoo Life, popcorn, inflatable house and slide, fun activities, and an opportunity to connect with first responders.
Updates from the Tarboro Police Department may be posted on their Facebook page.
Updates from the Edgecombe County Sheriff’s Office may be on their Facebook page.
Ed. Note: Is something missing? Organizers of National Night Out events who do not see their local event listed are asked to email the Editor with details. Information about gathered from public postings by town/city governments and organizations.
About National Night Out
NNO began in 1984 and is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. Each event organized is designed to increase awareness about local police programs and community issues — including drug prevention and neighborhood watch, while providing an opportunity for community-police communication.
Across the United States, National Night Out is overseen by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). According to their website at natw.org:
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
Millions of neighbors take part in National Night Out across thousands of communities from all fifty states, US territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide on the first Tuesday in August (Texas celebrates on the first Tuesday in October). Neighborhoods host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more.
