On Tuesday, Oct. 5, neighborhoods throughout Smithville are being invited to join forces with hundreds of other communities throughout Texas for the state’s observance of the annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event.

It’s sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and co-sponsored locally by the Smithville Police Association and the Smithville Police Department, and will involve more than 14,600 communities from 50 states. Nationally, the event is held in August, but Texans skip the heat and observe the event in October. In all, more than 36.7 million people are expected to participate in “America’s Night Out Against Crime.”

Smithville senior patrol officer Charles Harber is looking for support for this year’s National Night Out event in Smithville.

“We are just now gearing up for National Night Out in Smithville,” Harber said. “We have already had five neighborhoods sign up and we are expecting more participation this year.”

The Smithville police department has been participating in National Night Out since 1996. The event is meant to strengthen police and community relations and build neighborhood spirit as well as send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Harber said the event is also used to make residents of the community aware of crime and drug prevention programs and to generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts.

From 7-10 p.m., on Oct. 5, residents in neighborhoods throughout the Smithville and across Texas are asked to

lock their doors, turn on their outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police.

“The Texas Night Out is all about bringing people together,” Harber said. “You are much more likely to help your neighbor or cooperate with police if you know them as people and not just as a strange face.”

Many neighborhoods throughout the City of Smithville will be hosting a variety of special events such as block parties, cookouts, contests and youth activities, as well as visits from police, fire department and EMS. This event showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement in the fight to build a safer nation.

Harber and the Smithville police department are inviting neighbors and neighborhoods to join them for this year’s “Giving Crime & Drugs A Going Away Party.”

Anyone wishing to help make a difference in their community by being a block captain, donating funds or supporting this event is urged to contact Harber at the Smithville Police Department by calling 237-3228.

“I have always been a very strong believer in police-community relations,” Harber said.  “We are all in the same boat and the better we work together to solve problems and deal with crime, the better off we are all going to be. Thanks for your support in the struggle against crime.”