Press Release

On Tuesday, August 6, 2002, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department helped neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles County join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the 19th Annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event. National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and co-sponsored locally by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, involved more than 9,700 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, an estimated 33 million people participated in “America’s Night Out Against Crime.”
National Night Out is designed to: (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime 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 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., residents in neighborhoods throughout Los Angeles County and across the nation, were asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police. Many neighborhoods hosted a variety of special events such as block parties, cookouts, and flashlight walks. Sheriff’s stations throughout Los Angeles County were involved in various activities during the evening. All events were very successful and helped strengthen the bond between the community and law enforcement.
SHB-62A-02

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August 8, 2002