31366The Atlanta Police Department is ready to celebrate National Night Out on Aug. 5 between 5 and 8 p.m. Organized by the National Association of Town Watch, National Night Out encourages communities to partner with local law enforcement to increase crime prevention awareness.

“Preventing and solving crime is a community effort,” said Atlanta Police Chief George N. Turner. “National Night Out is an excellent program that helps the Department build relationships with citizens and create safer neighborhoods. This is one of the events we look forward to each year.”

If you are planning a National Night Out event and would like to request city officials to attend your event, you must register by July 30. Neighborhoods interested in participating can register by emailing Crime Prevention Inspector Sabrina Thomas at sabthomas@atlantaga.gov or by leaving a message at (404) 546-5550. Sample events include community block parties, ice cream socials and community clean-ups. All Atlanta National Night Out activities are free, family-friendly and promote community pride and safety.

Atlanta National Night Out events (partial list)

Atlantic Station, Midtown
Block Party
6 p.m.

Booker T Washington High School
Cookout
6-9 p.m.
71 Newcastle Street, Atlanta, GA 30314

Collier Heights Community Association
Block Party
6 p.m.
Collier Dr. N.W. @Chalmers

Midtown Neighbors Association
Cookout/ meet & greet
6-8:30p.m.
Myrtle St. between 5th & 4th Streets

NPU-V National Night Out 2014
Cookout/ meet & greet
4-8 p.m.
521 Capital Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30312

Fulton County’s Oak Hill, Child, Family and Adolescent Center
Cookout/ meet & greet
6-8 p.m.
2805 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30315

Police Athletic League Facility
Cookout/ meet & greet
6:30-8:30 p.m.
120 Anderson Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30314

Shamrock Gardens Apartments
Cookout/ meet & greet
5-8:30 p.m.
1988 Plaza Lane SW, Atlanta, GA 30311

Urban Villa Pine-Acres Civic & Improvement Association
Cookout/ meet & greet
5:30 p.m.
377 Westchester Blvd. NW Atlanta, GA 30314

Collin Kelley is the executive editor of Atlanta Intown, Georgia Voice, and the Rough Draft newsletter. He has been a journalist for nearly four decades and is also an award-winning poet and novelist.