Yakima Valley Events Will Be Part of 33rd Annual National Night Out

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Throughout the Yakima Valley and across the nation, communities will be throwing a “going away party for crime” during the 33rd annual National Night Out on Tuesday, August 2nd.  In addition to numerous neighborhood block parties, several organizations and businesses will be sponsoring National Night Out events.

The Yakima Police Department and U.S. Cellular are cosponsoring a family-friendly event on August 2nd from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm at Sarg Hubbard Park.  The citywide party will include kid’s activities, free food and drinks, emergency vehicle demonstrations, and much more.

National Night Out was started in 1984 and is the brainchild of Matt Peskin, who was the executive director of the National Association of Town Watch (“NATW”) at the time.  The NATW is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development and growth of crime and drug prevention programs nationwide.  NATW’s membership now includes now more than 6,500 crime, drug, and violence prevention organizations.

In its first year, about 400 communities participated in National Night Out activities.  The 33rd annual version of the event this year is expected to include more than 16,000 cities and towns and an estimated 38 million people.

While the traditional ‘lights on’ and front porch vigils remain a part of National Night Out, the variety of events that take place in communities has expanded considerably over the years to include block parties, cookouts, parades, visits from police, festivals, neighborhood walks, safety fairs, contests, rallies and meetings.

To learn more about National Night Out activities in the Yakima Valley, contact any of these local law enforcement agencies:

Grandview Police Dept. – 882-2000               Granger Police Dept. – 854-2656

Mabton Police Dept. – 894-5178                    Moxee Police Dept. – 575-8850

Selah Police Dept. – 698-7346                       Sunnyside Police Dept. – 836-6200

Tieton Police Dept. – 673-0200                      Toppenish Police Dept. – 865-4355

Union Gap Police Dept. – 248-0430               Wapato Police Dept. – 877-3161

Yakama Tribal Police – 865-2933                   Yakima Police Dept. – 575-6197

Yakima County Sheriff – 574-2500                 Zillah Police Dept. – 829-6100

National Night Out – News Release