While neighborhoods across the nation celebrate National Night Out, the City of Williamsburg is bringing the block party downtown.
National Night Out started in 1984 as a way to promote crime prevention tactics and bridge the gap between residents and law enforcement. The initiative has grown from 400 communities in its first year to more than 16,000 nationwide.
Despite popularity across the U.S., Maj. Greg Riley of the City of Williamsburg Police Department does not remember a National Night Out event coming to his locality.
One of his officers, Tim Walker, hoped to get the department involved and formed a committee to bring the program to the City.
“We’re obviously always looking for ways to improve our police-community relations and this is a positive event that promotes that,” Riley said.
Pulling all the elements together has partnered residents and law enforcement before the main event kicks off. Riley said community members turned out to join the committee and spearhead the project, which has been in the works for months.
Tonight the department will host National Night Out, free to residents, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Williamsburg Community Building.
Being the first such program for Williamsburg, Riley said the city is determining the best way to reach as many locals with a positive experience.
“It’s much easier with a small department to have big event in central location,” Riley said.
While officers in York and James City counties will be visiting neighborhoods that requested to host their own National Night Outs, Williamsburg police plan to go to one development in the city in addition to the main event downtown.
In addition to having the potential to draw a bigger crowd, Riley said concentrating the activities allows National Night Out more than it could if spread among multiple neighborhoods. With the Williamsburg Fire Department bringing its Safety House and other demonstrations that require packing and unpacking, a four-hour window would not leave much time for interaction with residents.
Instead, they will be stationed for hands-on training for the duration of the event, along with exhibits from the Williamsburg Parks and Recreation Department, the City’s Environmental Awareness Program, McGruff the Crime Dog and multiple City restaurants and organizations.
Williamsburg Regional Library will also offer free movie screenings during National Night Out, with “The LEGO Movie” at 5 p.m. and “Casablanca” at 7:15 p.m.
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