The City of Mercer Island will be hosting its fourth annual “National Night Out” on Aug. 2. Both a national and local event, National Night Out is a crime prevention and preparedness event that will involve over 14,000 communities from all 50 states. An estimated 70 cities in Washington state will participate in the event, including several cities on the Eastside, all at the same time.

National Night Out is designed to bring neighbors together to heighten crime prevention awareness, generate support for family emergency preparedness and to strengthen neighborhood spirit and community partnerships. On Tuesday, Aug. 2, residents in neighborhoods throughout Mercer Island and across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors, police and firefighters, city officials and city staff.

Many neighborhoods throughout Mercer Island will be hosting a variety of special events such as block parties, cookouts, visits from police, fire and city officials, flashlight walks, contests and youth activities.

To register your neighborhood for National Night Out, please contact Officer Franklin at (206) 275-7905 or e-mail jennifer.franklin@mercergov.org.