FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: 
Sharon Gang, 202-727-5011
Vinve Morris, 202-727-5011
Kevin Morison (MPD),202-727-9346

(Washington, DC) On Tuesday, August 1, District of Columbia residents, business owners, civic leaders and young people with join Mayor Anthony A. Williams and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in celebrating the 23rd annual National Night Out against crime.
The District's observance of National Night Out will officially kick off at 5 pm at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center at 10th and Michigan Avenue, NE, with food, music and a short walk around the neighborhood with the Ward 5 "Light up the Night Coalition."  Consisting of 16 community organizations, the Coalition is launching a campaign to distribute energy-efficient light bulbs to homeowners and to encourage them to leave their exterior lights on from dusk until dawn every day, as a way to combat crime.

Other communities across the District have scheduled block parties, neighborhood cookouts, citizen patrols, candlelight vigils, musical events, and crime prevention seminars and demonstrations during the afternoon and evening.  Mayor Williams will visit several other sites throughout the day and evening.

A complete list of National Night Out activities in the District is posted on the MPD Web site, www.mpdc.dc.gov/nno. Residents may also call the Citywide Call Center at 202-727-1000 for more information.