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The city of Akron’s Annual National Night Out (NNO), is a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), and is scheduled for Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Last year’s campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations, churches and local officials from more than 15,000 communities and all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, more than 38 million people participated in NNO 2011.

More than 5,000 Akron residents participated last year, attending 15 neighborhood events. This year, we hope to add two new Akron neighborhoods in our all-out effort to curtail crime and drugs. It is our hope that these events will see more than 7,000 residents come out to support the fight against crime.

As in years past, we focus on reporting crime and victims of crime. The City of Akron’s civic/anti-crime youth group the Akron PeaceMakers will again be assigned to each Night Out location. The group of more than 85 youth has pledged to work to keep our city strong and safe. Their objective is to stamp out bullying among young people. PeaceMakers encourages young people to be involved in their community and thus to reverse the escalating crime rate among young people.

As always, Night Out events are designed to encourage our youth to stay away from crime, violence and drugs.

The City of Akron, along with area organizations, churches and the Akron Police Department hopes that this year’s campaign will forge future partnerships making our city a safer place for all residents.

If you would like to sponsor a National Night Out event in your neighborhood call: Billy Soule, Assistant to the Mayor for Community Relations at (330) 375-2660.

A schedule of this year’s events will be posted in July of 2012.