Suffolk citizens and public safety personnel will come together across the city on Tuesday for National Night Out.

The National Association of Town Watch’s 36th annual National Night Out program enhances the relationship between residents and law enforcement in a positive, community-centric way.

In Suffolk, more than 150 communities, homeowner’s associations, civic organizations, neighborhoods, churches and business sponsors will partner to help make this year’s Suffolk National Night Out even more special, according to a city press release.

Block parties, cookouts and mini-festivals will be enjoyed across the city by friends, family and first responders alike.

“This event enhances the relationships between neighbors and first responders while bringing back a true sense of community and provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances,” according to suffolknno.com.

Suffolk’s National Night Out will begin Tuesday evening with a kick-off at 5:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber at Suffolk City Hall, 442 W. Washington St. Suffolk Mayor Linda T. Johnson, City Manager Patrick Roberts, Police Chief Thomas Bennett and Fire Chief Michael Barakey will be among the dignitaries to help kickstart this jam-packed night.

Tour groups in nine motorcades will then ride out to visit registered parties and other fun activities throughout Suffolk, including the festivities at King’s Fork High School, which will host the National Night Out at Obici & Health Fair.

The National Night Out at Obici & Health Fair will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at King’s Fork High School, 351 Kings Fork Road.

In addition to the free health fair, the site will have food, a bounce house obstacle course, a petting zoo and other games and activities. The Peanut City Cloggers and King’s Fork High School Marching Band will perform, and the school will also host the official National Night Out grand finale.

The Suffolk Art League will provide sidewalk chalk for participants to Chalk the Walk at King’s Fork High School during the event. There will be a limited amount of sidewalk chalk available and artists are encouraged to bring their own, if possible. Only sidewalk chalk will be permitted for this activity.

Registration is encouraged online at suffolkartleague.com or by phone at 925-0448. Participants may register up until the event, however space is limited. Spaces will be assigned as registrations are received, and any spaces not assigned will be available the night of the event.

There is no registration fee, but artists must check in with Chalk the Walk coordinators before they start to discuss their designs. These designs need to be family-friendly — no nudity, profanity or other inappropriate content will be allowed.

The Suffolk Art League is encouraging individuals and small groups of up to four artists to create images that reflect the “Lock It…Don’t Lose It” theme.

“We want to encourage citizens to lock their vehicles and homes to avoid becoming a victim of an easily preventable crime,” according to the Suffolk Art League press release.  “It takes mere seconds and is one of the easiest things we can do to protect ourselves.”

According to the city press release, National Night Out is designed to:

• heighten crime, drug and violence prevention awareness
• generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts
• strengthen neighborhood unity and spirit, as well as enhance police-community partnerships
• send a message to criminals, letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back

Millions of neighbors participate in National Night Out in thousands of communities across all 50 states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide each year on the first Tuesday in August.

Suffolk finished first in the national judging in 2018 for its population category, marking the fifth year the city has received top honors in national judging.

“Lock your doors, turn on your porch lights, and join your friends and neighbors (this Tuesday) to show that Suffolk truly is united and dedicated to building a safer, more caring city,” the press release stated.

Visit www.SuffolkNNO.com for more information on this year’s activities.