Whitehall Joins National Night Out on Aug. 6

National Night Out (NNO) 2013, a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 6.

This is the 30th Annual NNO. The NNO campaign involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from more than 15,000 communities, including ones from all 50 U.S. states, some U.S. military bases and other territories, and a number of Canadian communities. In all, more than 37 million people are expected to participate this year.

NNO is designed to:

• heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
• generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs;
• strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
• send a message to criminals, letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Whitehall Borough is among the communities participating, Whitehall Mayor James F. Nowalk said during Wednesday's borough council meeting.

During the evening of Aug. 6, Whitehall residents are encouraged to leave their outside lights on and even go outside to talk to neighbors in order to discourage criminal activity.