Thousands of Suffolk citizens will celebrate with public safety personnel during Suffolk’s 35th National Night Out this Tuesday, with more than 150 communities, homeowner’s associations, civic organizations, neighborhoods, churches and business sponsors partnering to help say “no” to crime.

The kickoff event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council Chamber at Suffolk City Hall, 442 W. Washington St. Mayor Linda Johnson, Police Chief Thomas Bennett and interim Fire Chief Ed Taylor will be among the dignitaries getting things started at the kickoff, according to a city press release.

Tour groups in nine motorcade units will ride across the city after the kickoff to visit registered block parties, cookouts and festivals. The annual event encourages neighbors to fight crime by getting to know one another and by building relationships with local law enforcement.

The Project 365 theme for this year’s celebrations will once again be Suffolk Police Department’s “Lock It, Don’t Lose It” campaign, in which residents are encouraged to lock their cars and homes to help prevent the business of thieves.

Millions of people in tens of thousands of communities across the United States, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide are expected to participate in National Night Out this year, according to the press release.

Suffolk’s 2017 National Night Out celebration was ranked second in the nation for its population category by the National Association of Town Watch, marking the 12th straight year that Suffolk finished in the top five nationally. Citizens are ready to earn their fifth first-place finish in national judging since 2008.

Visit suffolknno.com to find a community party near you this Tuesday.