Suffolk’s 2014 National Night Out back on Aug. 5 not only turned out to be one of the coolest National Night Outs yet, it also brought home a cool trophy for the third year.

The event was awarded first place from the National Association of Town Watch, which sponsors National Night Out nationwide. Suffolk placed in its population category, which is 50,000 to 99,999 residents.

It marks the third time the city has been named first in the nation. The others were in 2008 and 2009. It’s also the ninth straight year the city has placed in the top five.

The crime and drug awareness event always draws thousands of participants in dozens of Suffolk neighborhoods. Communities hold events such as parades, children’s activities, cookouts and more, all designed to help present a united front against crime, get people to know their neighbors and the law enforcement officers that work in their area, and educate residents on crime that affects their neighborhoods.

The awards are judged based on a video presentation on the event and a notebook featuring photos and printed materials related to the event.

The event is held annually on the first Tuesday in August. More than 37 million people in 10,000 localities in all 50 states, as well as some Canadian cities and military bases worldwide, participate.

Besides Suffolk, the town of Smithfield was the highest-placing Hampton Roads community with its No. 33 finish in its population category, those under 15,000.

For more information on National Night Out in Suffolk, visit www.suffolknno.org or visit www.facebook.com/SuffolkVaNNO.