Iowa City National Night Out Day Coming Up Next Week

Your yearly chance to meet a police officer in a friendlier social setting is coming up next Tuesday.

The is one of over 15,000 police departments nationwide taking part in the 29th annual National Night Out (NNO). According to a police press release, NNO is a community outreach event intended to reduce violence, drugs and other forms of crime by connecting officers with the community.

From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday evening, neighborhood members are encouraged to turn on outside lights and lock their doors and join the rest of the community for block parties. Neighborhoods that want to host officers can also hold special events, such as cookouts, visits from the police, flashlight walks, contests, and youth activities.

If you would like to register your neighborhood block party for appearances by officers and special guests such as the dog detective pictured above, please contact Officer Jorey Bailey at crime-prevention@iowa-city.org, or call the Crime Prevention Office at 319-356-5273.

NNO 2012 is being supported in part by Target, a national corporate sponsor, and Iowa City Area Crimestoppers