Marin County Celebrates 'National Night Out'

MARIN COUNTY, CA — In an effort to strengthen relations between citizens and law enforcement agencies, communities across Marin County and the rest of the country are taking part in National Night Out events Tuesday evening.

Celebrated on the first Tuesday of August, the annual campaign brings community members and police officers, fire fighters and other community organizations together at neighborhood gatherings. Now in its 36th year, National Night Out was created by the National Association of Town Watch to make an organized statement against crime.

In Mill Valley, the Mill Valley Police Department will host the city's first National Night Out event from 5-8 p.m. at the Depot Plaza 87 Throckmorton Ave. There will be food, games, a bicycle rodeo, bicycle registration opportunities and meet-and-greets with Mill Valley police and fire personnel.

In Novato, the Novato Police Department, along with the Novato Fire Department and Novato Parks and Recreation, will hold a community gathering from 6-8 p.m. at Pocket Park at 950 7th St. There will be food, games, inflatables and giveaways.

In Corte Madera and San Anselmo, the Central Marin Police Authority will host two block parties from 5-8 p.m. at Menke Park in Corte Madera and at the San Anselmo police station at 525 San Anselmo Ave. There will be games, emergency vehicles on display and free hot dogs, as well as meet-and-greets with Central Marin police officers and personnel from the California Highway Patrol, Central Marin and Ross Valley fire departments, and other local organizations.

Throughout Marin County, the Marin County Sheriff's Office will host four gatherings from 5-7 p.m. at Rocky Graham Park in Marin City; from 5-7 p.m. at the Tam Valley Community Center at 203 Marin Ave. in Mill Valley; from 5-7 p.m. at the Bel Marin Keys Community Service District Building at 4 Montego Key in Novato; and from 4-8 p.m. at the Point Reyes Substation at 101 Fourth St. in Point Reyes.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.