Each year, close to 37 million people in more than 15,000 communities across the nation participate in National Night Out—an initiative that brings communities together to fight against crime. The cities of Sugar Land and Missouri City will participate in the 30th annual event scheduled for Oct. 1 from 5–8 p.m.

Neighborhoods, streets and entire blocks that have registered with the National Association of Town Watch—a nonprofit organization that has helped put on the event since 1984—will host block parties featuring food and activities. Public officials with the city and police and fire departments are expected to stop by as many parties as possible.

Dozens of neighborhoods in Sugar Land are slated to participate and an estimated 63 Missouri City subdivisions and streets are registered for the event. Thousands of residents are expected to take to the streets, said Evett Kelly, community resource officer with the Missouri City police department.

"[National Night Out] is a big thing here in Missouri City," she said. "It gives a positive outlook to the community."

The Missouri City event begins at 5 p.m. at the Target at 6000 Hwy. 6 with a kick-off party. Around 7 p.m., public officials and officers disperse and travel the community to visit individual parties, give safety talks and provide educational materials to residents.

National Night Out, "America's Night Out Against Crime," was first held in August 1984 with about 2.5 million in more than 400 communities participating. The event has grown as an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie and to send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back, according to Matt Peskin, executive director of the National Association of Town Watch. The event is held the first Tuesday of October across Texas.

For more information, call the Sugar Land police department at 281-275-2580, the Missouri City police department at 281-403-5830 or visit www.natw.org.