The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania will join law enforcement partners, community leaders, and residents for National Night Out events in cities across the state on Aug. 4.
National Night Out is an annual campaign that aims to build partnerships and camaraderie between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The event is held on the first Tuesday of August in most areas of the country, bringing together millions of participants from thousands of communities.
Established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance within the U.S. Department of Justice, National Night Out is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide non-profit organization. The campaign features block parties, cookouts, festivals, parades, safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, and visits from emergency personnel. Organizers say these activities provide opportunities for police and neighbors to connect under positive circumstances and send a message that neighborhoods are united in working together for safety.
The scheduled events where representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office will be present include Swatara Township Police Department’s gathering at Vanatta Park from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Scranton Police Department’s event at Scranton High School from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Plains Township Police Department’s gathering at Birchwood Park from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania serves about 3.2 million residents across a region covering more than 21,900 square miles through facilities located in Harrisburg, Scranton, Williamsport and Wilkes-Barre; its responsibilities include prosecuting federal crimes, conducting civil litigation on behalf of the government, and providing victim assistance programs as part of its operations under the United States Department of Justice, while also promoting community safety initiatives such as Project Safe Neighborhoods and re-entry services designed to reduce recidivism, according to the official website.