SPORTS + OUTDOORS

Please join the City of Houston, Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff's Office and surrounding law enforcement agencies by participating in the 28th Annual Houston/Harris County National Night Out Campaign on Tuesday, October 4, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Area police departments are inviting neighbors to spend time with neighbors the evening of Oct. 4, when Texas celebrates National Night Out.

The night, now in its 28th year, is a crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. Most events take place between 6-9 p.m. Neighborhoods celebrate with block parties, barbecues, casual gatherings, parades, police station tours, youth events and other activities.

"It's very important because it gets people to know each other, to learn what we can and can't do and how they can help us," said Lt. Haril Walpole with the Memorial Villages Police Department. National Night Out events are designed to increase crime and drug-prevention awareness, generate support and participation in crime-prevention programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Memorial Villages Police Department will host a celebration 6-9 p.m. Oct. 4, at 11981 Memorial Drive, with free hot dogs and drinks, popcorn and snow cones, along with child identification kits, inflatables, face painting, a fire truck, special response team, K-9 demonstrations and patrol car demonstrations.

In Houston, Senior Officer Jessie L. Martinez, the Houston Police Department's National Night Out coordinator, encourages people to visit www.houstonpolice.org,  scroll down and click on "National Night Out 2011" to find a list of police stations and the National Night Out officer for each.

"If they have questions or need assistance, from organizing an event to getting people involved, they can ask," Martinez said.

The coordinators also can provide National Night Out fliers, and when possible, they will accommodate requests for visits from first responders or city officials.

"We're building police-community relations, Martinez said. "And it tells the criminal, 'our community is bonded.' "