30th Annual National Night Out Comes to Albany Aug. 6

The annual neighborhood anti-crime event, National Night Out – which takes place in Albany and elsewhere on Aug. 6 this year – is not what it started out to be.

What began three decades ago as a simple front-porch "lights on" night to signal neighborhood cooperation in fighting crime has evolved into a popular and fun occasion where neighborhoods organize block parties or other outdoor get-togethers to build connections with each other. Police officers and firefighters often drop by.

Albany's National Night Out last year was the biggest so far in the city's history, with 31 blocks participating, according to a post on Patch last year by Karina Tindol, the police department's Community Engagement Specialist.  

Organizers of National Night Out events are urged to register in advance with the city, especially if they want a street-closure. The registration form for the 6-8 p.m. Tuesday night event can be accessed on the city's website.

Those who'd like more information can contact Karina Tindol at the Albany Police Department at (510) 528-5755 or ktindol@albanyca.org.

National Night Out was introduced in 1984 by Matt Peskin, Executive Director of the nonprofit National Association of Town Watch.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for communities nationwide to promote police-community partnerships, crime prevention, and neighborhood camaraderie," Peskin says on the National Night Out website. "While the one night is certainly not an answer to crime, drugs and violence, National Night Out represents the kind of spirit, energy and determination to help make neighborhoods a safer place year round." 

The website also describes how widely the event has spread: "National Night Out now involves over 37 million people and 15,000 communities from all fifty states, U.S. Territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide."