The City of Charlotte encourages community leaders to register their neighborhoods to participate in the 38^th annual National Night Out celebration. The event, scheduled for Aug. 2, promotes police-community collaboration and neighborhood solidarity. The deadline to register is July 22.

National Night Out is a community-building campaign started by the National Association of Town Watch. The City of Charlotte has supported National Night Out for more than 25 years.

"Community safety and neighborhood awareness are the driving principles of National Night Out and are the same ideals that we value in our city," said Mayor Vi Lyles. "I encourage community organizations, housing developments, businesses and apartment complexes to join forces on this important night to make it known that we are united in our fight against crime."

Throughout the evening, participating neighborhoods will host block parties, cookouts and other events. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers, Charlotte firefighters, and other city leaders will attend various events throughout the evening. Celebrations start at different times around the city. Neighborhood residents should contact their neighborhood leaders for details on specific events.

Neighborhood leaders can complete the city's registration form and the National Association of Town Watch form to receive an organizational kit. Contact Avis Cuthbertson at Avis.Cuthbertson@charlottenc.gov or 704.336.7846 for more about this year's celebration.