Hopkinton Participates in National Night Out

The National Association of Town Watch (NATW), a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and promotion of various crime prevention programs including neighborhood watch groups, law enforcement agencies, state and regional crime prevention associations, businesses, civic groups, and individuals, devoted to safer community, started America’s Night Out Against Crime in 1984.

It evolved into National Night Out, which now, according to its website, involved more than 37.8 million people and 16,124 communities across the country.

Typically, communities celebrate National Night Out on the first Tuesday of August.

Hopkinton celebrates from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at Hopkinton Middle School. Hopkinton’s celebration includes safety demos, live music, food, games, face painting, a dunk tank and more.

After the event, the police department asks that from 9-11 p.m., residents turn on their porch lights to show solidarity in preventing crime.

Various events across the country include festivals, block parties, parades, cookouts, rallies, marches and visits from emergency personnel.

The National Night Out website offers this map of communities who are taking part in the celebration this year. Click here to find Massachusetts’ participants.