NATIONAL NIGHT OUT - AUGUST 5, 2008

     HASTINGS TO JOIN CITIES NATIONWIDE FOR

On Tuesday, August 5^{th, citizens throughout Hastings are being invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the “25th Annual National Night Out” (NNO) crime and drug prevention event.}

On August 5th residents in neighborhoods across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police. Hastings will be hosting a BBQ, visits with police, various community organizations, and other activities at Brickyard Park.

National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and co-sponsored locally by the Hastings Police Department, will involve over 11,000 communities from all-50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, over 34 million people are expected to participate in ‘America’s Night Out Against Crime’ on August 5th. NNO 2008 is being supported in part by the Target Corporation and the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.

National Night Out is designed to: (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime 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.