WASHINGTON — National Night Out has always been a great way for police and other city entities to help engage with communities, but the vibe of the nationwide effort to keep people safe felt different this year.
Between coronavirus keeping officers at a distance from communities for social engagements to police brutality concerns and protests that have sparked nationwide movements, it was a stark reminder of how 2020 has changed many things.
Limited engagement with National Night Out convoys/parades was seen in D.C., with departments across the DMV trying to be creative on how to engage with the communities that it serves.
Many localities and departments nationally moved or adjusted events that were planed due to the timing of planned events, attempting to create space, while also wanting to bring everyone together.
DC Police helped drive the cause by having stations set up in the District that handed out PPE and groceries for those in need during the coronavirus.
The Manassas Police Department in Virginia gave out coloring books, while also going into communities and speaking with residents in a socially distant manner. The department also engaged with community members about reporting crime, which is a big part of the outreach part of the national event.
National Night Out began in the 1980s and has grown to involve millions of people in communities across the United States. The annual National Night Out involved 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states, according to the National Association of Town Watch, which helps promote NNO.
To learn more about National Night Out, click here.
