Lebanon, TN — On Tuesday, August 7, neighborhoods throughout Wilson County are being invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the "29th Annual National Night Out" (NNO) crime and drug prevention event, according to a news release issued by the Wilson County Sheriffs Department.

National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and co-sponsored locally by the Wilson County Sheriffs Department, will involve over 15,325 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, over 37.1 million people are expected to participate in "America's Night Out Against Crime."

National Night Out is designed to (1) heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts; (3) strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and (4) send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

From 5 until 9 p.m. on August 7, residents in neighborhoods throughout Wilson County and across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on their outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police. Many neighborhoods throughout Wilson County will be hosting a variety of special events such as block parties, cookouts, have visits from Sheriffs deputies, and flashlight walks.

National Project Coordinator Matt Peskin said, "This is a night for America to stand together to promote awareness, safety and neighborhood unity. National Night Out showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement in our fight to build a safer nation. On NNO, we invite neighborhoods nationwide to join us in giving crime and drugs a going away party."

The Wilson County Sheriffs Department will be working with the Lebanon Police Department to have a display at Don Fox Community Park from 5 until 9 p.m. in Lebanon, where deputies will be doing fingerprints for children, speaking about the different aspects of the sheriffs department. On display will be the sheriffs department's patrol boat, mobile command center, SWAT vehicles, patrol horses, search and rescue dogs, and a jail transport van. During that same time, the sheriffs department will also be doing a flashlight walk with each of the current registered Neighborhood Watch Groups in Wilson County.

August 7 is also the beginning of the Wilson County Sheriffs Department's newest program, "Project 365." Project 365 is a goal-setting program that is also sponsored by the NNO. This year's goal is to expand the Neighborhood Watch Groups in Wilson County. If you would like more information on starting a Neighborhood Watch Group, or you would like to organize an event in your neighborhood, please contact Elizabeth Anderson at the Wilson County Sheriffs Department at 615-444-1412, ext. 489 or e-mail eanderson@wcso95.org.