Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier announced the citywide kickoff today of the 24th Annual National Night Out (NNO). NNO is an opportunity for the Metropolitan Police Department to show its support for the community. The citywide kickoff will take place at Barry Farm Recreation Center, 1230 Sumner Road, SE from 5  pm to 8 pm.

NNO is intended to heighten crime and drug prevention and awareness, strengthen community and send a clear message to criminals that our neighborhoods are unified in the fight against crime.

"National Night Out is a great time for the Department to interact with the community. Public safety is a two-way street. Officers are even more effective with the support of the community, and today’s kickoff is an opportunity for us to show residents how much we appreciate them and need their help in keep our neighborhoods safe" said Chief Lanier.

NNO is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), and happens the first Tuesday in August. The District is among 50 states and U.S. territories where civic groups, citizens, businesses and neighborhood organizations join in celebrating NNO. This year, hundreds of private businesses and community groups have donated their products and services to make NNO a success. – including a $3,000 donation from the Target Corporation. Additionally, nearly every District agency is lending a hand in making the 24th Annual NNO a success.

"This event is so important to the morale of the District," said Mayor Fenty. "Residents from every ward can come together and enjoy the company of the neighbors. I encourage residents to pay a visit to as many of the celebrations across the city as possible."

There are some 40 events planned in each Police Service Area, including:

• Kickoff Event (Police Service Area 703)
  Barry Farm Recreation Center, 1230 Sumner Road, SE
  5-9 pm
  Evening will include speaking program, children’s activities, information fair, special operations and other equipment demonstrations, community softball, a soapbox derby race, Harbor Patrol dive demonstration, National Guard Drug Demand Reduction ant-narcotics team, and much more.
  
• Police Service Area 102
  Sherwood Recreation Center, 640 10th Street, NE
  5-7 pm
  National Night Out celebration with march from Argonaut Tavern at 15th Street and Maryland Avenue, NE
  
• Police Service Are 403
  Rudlolph Elementary School Field, 5300 2nd Street, NW
  5-9 PM
  Jumpworks (bungy-jumping), moonbounce, DJ, basketball game, softball game, arts & crafts, face painting.
  
• Police Service Area 404
  St. Paul Rock Creek Episcopal Parish, Rock Creek Church Road & Webster Street, NW
  5-9 pm
  Bingo (adult), moonbounce, scavenger hunt, bean bag toss, movies for the kids, sack race.
  
• Second District (2D) Station
  Second District Station, 3320 Idaho Avenue, NW
  5-9 pm
  Evening of Smooth Jazz and Family Movies combined with Crime Prevention and Traffic Awareness
  
• Police Service Area 303
  18th Street & Columbia Road, NW
  5-9 pm
  Community festival with food, entertainment and safety displays. The focus on this festival will be child safety; free child safety seat inspections will be offered.

A complete list may be found at http://mpdc.dc.gov/nno.