On Tuesday, August 7, 2012; people throughout Western Norman County are being invited to join forces with the City of Hendrum and Hendrum Township along with thousands of communities nationwide for the “29^th Annual National Night Out” (NNO) crime and drug prevention event.  National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and co-sponsored locally by the City of Hendrum and Hendrum Township will involve over 15,325 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world.  In all, over 37.1 million people are expected to participate in ‘America’s Night Out Against Crime’.  NNO 2012 is being supported in part by TARGET, a national corporate sponsor.

National Night Out is designed to: (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts; (3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and (4) Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

From 6 to 9 p.m. on August 7^th, residents throughout the City of Hendrum, Hendrum Township, and Western Norman County are asked to join other citizens across the nation in celebrating National Night Out by locking their doors, turning on outside lights and spending a fun filled evening outside with neighbors, police, and fire and rescue personnel at the Hendrum Community Park, which is located approximately a half a mile east of the City of Hendrum on County Road 25.  There will be a free will picnic consisting of burgers, hotdogs, beans, chips, drink and ice cream.  Other events will include a helicopter visit from Sanford’s “Lifelight” which will arrive around 6:30 p.m., a presentation from Pembina Border Patrol with their dogs around 7:30 p.m., followed by a mock accident put on by the area fire departments and rescue squads at approximately 8:00 p.m.  In addition, throughout the evening, there will be games and giveaways for the kids.

National Project Coordinator Matt Peskin said, “This is a night for America to stand together to promote awareness, safety and neighborhood unity.  National Night Out showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement in our fight to build a safer nation.  On NNO, we invite neighborhoods nationwide to join us in Giving Crime & Drugs A Going Away Party.”  For more information contact Mayor Curt Johannsen at (701) 799-6732 or the City of Hendrum at (218) 861-6210.