Take back your neighborhood: Aug. 2 is National Night Out

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Above: Dog Walker Watch from NATW on Vimeo. An awareness program that encourages neighbors nationwide to assist local law enforcement in ongoing
community-policing efforts.


CONCORD, NH – U.S. Attorney Emily Gray Rice announces the 32nd Annual National Night Out, which will be celebrated throughout New Hampshire on Tuesday night, August 2, 2016.  “We encourage citizens to join the men and women of the law enforcement agencies which protect our communities for the National Night Out in the cities and towns in our state.    National Night Out is an opportunity to leave our homes, visit our neighbors and become acquainted with one another.  Our communities are stronger and safer when we all work together as partners in the same effort.”

Screen Shot 2016-07-29 at 11.30.29 AMNational Night Out is designed to: heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for and participation in local anti-crime efforts; strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

This year, National Night Out events will be held in several communities throughout New Hampshire.  Registered events will take place in Bedford, Belmont, Concord, Dover, Farmington, Greenland, Groveton, Hartford, Laconia, Lincoln,  Rochester, Milford, Mont Vernon,  Nashua, Northfield, Pittsfield, Portsmouth, Salem, Somersworth.

Manchester Police this year decided to participate in smaller neighborhood block parties to better connect with individual neighborhoods. Residents in Manchester are encouraged to continue that trend by organizing with neighbors, joining an existing Neighborhood Watch Group, or taking advantage of programs like Dog Watcher Watch (see video above) to actively “take back” their neighborhoods.

Manchester active Neighborhood Watch Group ward map.
Manchester active Neighborhood Watch Group ward map.

For more information about National Night Out, visit  www.natw.org.

“Our nation has recently experienced terrible tragedies, leaving us feeling sad and uncertain.  Violence is never the answer.  The solution lies in forging stronger connections.  We must recommit ourselves to doing everything possible to bridge divides, heal rifts, and build trust, and to ensure that all of our neighbors, including our first responders, feel respected, supported, and safe,” Rice said.

National Night Out organizers are expecting over 16,000 communities and 38 million people nationwide to take part in community events on Aug. 2.

About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!