On Tuesday, Aug. 2 from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m., neighborhoods throughout San Gabriel will join thousands of communities nationwide for the 33rd Annual National Night Out (NNO) crime and drug prevention event.

During NNO, San Gabriel residents will lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors. Many local neighborhoods are planning block parties, cook-outs, contests and youth activities in honor of the occasion, but NNO can be as simple as bringing your lawn chairs out front and visiting with neighbors. San Gabriel Police officers and city personnel will make an effort to visit all registered block parties with police cruisers and firetrucks. It is a great opportunity to meet and talk to city officials and public safety officers.

NNO is designed to raise awareness of crime and drug prevention efforts, generate support for local anti-crime efforts, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and send a message to criminals that neighbors are watching out for each other.

NNO can be part of ongoing Neighborhood Watch activities or even a great way to get a Neighborhood Watch Program started in your area. Neighborhood Watch Programs help neighbors work together to make everyone's quality of life better and reduce crime.

For more information about joining Neighborhood Watch and participating in this year’s National Night Out event, contact Stacy Gutierrez at the San Gabriel Police Department Crime Prevention Office at 626.308.2846.