Communities across Suffolk were recognized for their work on National Night Out with an awards ceremony Thursday evening at City Council chambers.

“We appreciate your support of the National Night Out event,” Police Chief Thomas Bennett said. “It means a lot to have a group of citizens that work together.”

National Night Out is a crime-fighting event that promotes community partnerships with law enforcement. It took place on Aug. 2, and communities were judged by volunteers on their activities, publicity and more.

“We’re not in it to win it,” said Jana Bennett of the Burbage Grant Neighborhood Watch, which took first place community.

The rewards come in announcements like the one Chief Bennett provided during the program — crime has decreased 8 percent this year over the same period last year, which is an even greater improvement from the 5-percent decrease he had announced at the National Night Out kickoff ceremony.

“It takes a lot of work and people working together,” Bennett said.

Cathy Richards, a member of the National Night Out committee, encouraged the few dozen people present to share about National Night Out all year long.

“I look forward to the National Night Out event every year,” she said. “I encourage you to continue to support this event each year and spread the word.”

The city’s ranking in the national National Night Out judging, which takes place based on a video and notebook of materials from the event, will be announced this fall. The city has 10 straight top-5 finishes in its population category, three of which have been No. 1.

Award winners were as follows:

• Honorable Mention — Suffolk Barber and Beauty
• Business — U.S. Army
• Rookie of the Year — Harbour Breeze Lifestyle Apartments
• Second Place Community — Hollywood/Jericho Civic League
• First Place Community — Burbage Grant Neighborhood Watch
• Second Place Combined Community — Greater Oakland/Chuckatuck Civic League
• First Place Combined Community — National Night Out at Obici
• Spirit Award — Cusi Hamlin