Bounce houses provided a fun activity during last year’s Night Out Against Crime in McCoy Park. | File Photo
Bounce houses provided a fun activity during last year’s Night Out Against Crime in McCoy Park. | File Photo

Dorri Partain

Managing Editor

Blue Valley neighborhood’s McCoy Park (1524 White Ave.) will be bustling with opportunities for community partnerships during this year’s annual “4th District Night Out Against Crime” on Tuesday, Aug. 5.

This event invites all residents of the City’s 4th District to enjoy food and games while meeting representatives from the Kansas City Police and Fire Departments, City departments and other community organizations.

This evening event will begin at 5 p.m. and finish by 6:30 p.m., so that attendees can enjoy hot dogs, create community ties and still get home before dark. Kid-friendly activities include face painting, bounce houses and a chance to explore a fire truck on-site.

Night Out Against Crime — also known as National Night Out — takes place each year on the first Tuesday of August. This event is promoted by National Association of Town Watch (NATW), a nonprofit that promotes police-community relationships.

Kansas City Police Chief Stacy Graves and the KCPD motorcycle unit were on-hand during last year’s Night Out event. | File Photo

NATW was founded in 1981 by a neighborhood watch volunteer named Matt to share information and promote neighborhood watch programs. A resident of the Lower Meridian neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pa., Matt also created the National Night Out event to further NATW’s community-building focus.

The first National Night Out event was held in 1984 and gathered 2.5 million neighbors in 400 communities across 23 states.

This year, according to the NATW website, 52 cities in Missouri — including Kansas City — are hosting Night Out events.

Hot dogs, chips and other refreshments filled tables during last year’s Night Out event. | File Photo

Coordinated by City Council 4th District-at-Large Councilman Crispin Rea, this event is also a partnership with Whatsoever Community Center, Guadalupe Centers, Mattie Rhodes Center, Police Athletic League and Blue Valley Neighborhood Association.
For more information about NATW, visit www.natw.org.