INDIANAPOLIS — Tuesday, Aug. 6, communities across central Indiana will observe National Night Out.
Police will be out in their communities, meeting with neighborhood watch and anti-violence groups to help coordinate their efforts.
According to the National Night Out website: "National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live."
It started 41 years ago, in Philadelphia. Neighbors were just asked to turn on their porch lights and sit outside.
The goal was to make sure the community knew that their neighbors were there and looking out for each other.
Since then the event has grown to include community policing events to encourage trust and cooperation between neighborhoods and police.
National Night Out is observed in 17,000 communities across the United States, including at least 60 in Indiana.
Keep scrolling for National Night Out observations around central Indiana.
National Night Out in Marion County
Indianapolis
The mayor and IMPD Chief Bailey will be kicking off National Night Off at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The kick-off event starts at noon. That is also when the city and IMPD will recognize the 2024 Community Crime Fighters of the Year.
This evening, IMPD will also encourage the community to come meet and talk at the following times and locations:
- 5-6:30 p.m. @ 320 N New Jersey St (Needler’s)
- 6-8 p.m. @ E 10th St & Alabama St
- 6-8 p.m. @ 700 Greer St (Lacy Park)
- 6-7 p.m. @ 528 Lockerbie St
- 6-8 p.m. @ 8220 Lake Point Ct
- 6-8 p.m. @ 1702 Broadway St (MLK Park Shelter)
- 5:30-7 p.m. @ 3421 N Park Ave (New Circle Church)
- 5-8 p.m. @ 780 E 66th St (Opti Park)
- 5:30-7:30 p.m. @ 4229 & 4239 Briarwood Dr
- 7-9 p.m. @ 6202 N Sherman Dr
- 6-8 p.m. @ 4802 Madison Ave
- 6-8 p.m. @ 2560 Villa Ave
Lawrence
The Lawrence police and fire departments, along with city officials, will be visiting the following neighborhoods:
- Fort Harrison, 6-8 p.m., 8025 Doubleday Dr.
- Benjamin Square, 6-8 p.m., SE Corner Barksdale & Drum
- Lenox Apts., 6-8 p.m., 5421 Calder Way
- Watson Farms, 5:30-9 p.m., 6149 Twyckenham Dr.
- Village of Merici, 5:30-7 p.m., 5707 Lawton Loop East
- River Oaks, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Common Area Breckenridge/Mountain Ct.
- CAFÉ, 5:30-7:30 p.m., 8902 E. 38th St.
- Franklin Apts (Indy Realty), 5-9 p.m., 4985 N. Franklin Rd.
- Otis Fort Ben Apts., 5:30-7 p.m., 9310 Otis Ave.
- Kensington Farms, 5:30-9 p.m., 10549 Kensworth Dr.
- Fox Pointe, 5-8:30 p.m., 7175 Elm Ridge Dr.
- One Penrose Place Apts., 5:30-8 p.m., 9115 Hawkins Rd.
- Historic Standish Estates, 6-8 p.m., 8404 E. 56th St.
- Boston Commons, 6-8 p.m., 8509 Watertown Dr.
Southport
Southport police will have games, live music, drinks, and food at Southport Park on Debyshire Road from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
National Night Out in Boone County
Zionsville
Zionsville police will be out at Zionsville Townhall with food trucks, activities for kids, and giveaways from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
National Night Out in Hamilton County
Carmel
Carmel will observe National Night Out at the Carmel Gazebo with free hot dogs, big wheel races, and kids activities from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Fishers
Fishers police will be at the Fishers police department on Municipal Drive with a chance to explore the station from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Noblesville
Noblesville police will be outside the Boys & Girls Club of Noblesville with hotdogs, chips, drones, bounces houses and even a dunk tank from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Westfield
Westfield will celebrate Jake Laird Community Day on National Night Out at Quaker Park with food, entertainment, games and bounce houses from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
National Night Out in Hendricks County
Avon
Avon observed National Night Out on July 25. They say they had 4,000 guests this year.
Brownsburg
Brownsburg will observe National Night Out on Oct. 1 at Arbuckle Acres.
Plainfield
Plainfield will observe National Night Out on Oct. 1 at Hummel Park.
National Night Out in Johnson County
Bargersville
Bargersville will observe National Night Out at Kephart Park with barbecue and sno balls from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Greenwood
Greenwood will observe National Night Out at Amphitheater Park on Washington Street with live music, food, giveaways and kids activities from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Whiteland
Whiteland will observe National Night Out at Whiteland Community High School with bounce houses, food, and raffles from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.