Tuesday, Aug. 5, is set as National Night Out, a night when neighbors can share a meal and show their support for local anti-crime efforts, sending the message to criminals that their neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

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The night is also intended to raise crime and drug prevention awareness and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.

People interested in hosting a block party or wanting more information should stop in the Le Mars Police Department or call 546-4113.

Sergeant Tim Hop is the local National Night Out coordinator.

Along with block parties, another tradition for National Night Out is to leave front porch lights on as a vigil to fighting crime.

Last year, more than 35 million people from thousands of communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world participated in National Night Out.

The first National Night Out, hosted in 1984, included 400 communities in 23 states.

The annual block party night, created to be a crime and drug prevention event, is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and locally by the Le Mars Police Department.

For more information or ideas for activities for a block party, visit http://www.nationaltownwatch.org/nno.