THE CITY OF ORLANDO CELEBRATES 29th ANNUAL NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

WHAT:
Orlando Mayor Dyer will officially start the 29th Annual National Night Out with a free kick-off party in SODO on Monday, August 6. The kick-off party is open to the public and will feature giveaways from SODO businesses and an opportunity to meet Orlando Police Department District Patrol officers.

National Night Out will continue on Tuesday, August 7th, 2012 when Orlando Police Chief Paul Rooney and Orlando Fire Chief John Miller will join the City of Orlando’s Neighborhood Watch staff to visit the three neighborhood watch parties selected as the first, second and third place winners in the National Night Out theme contest. This year’s National Night Out theme is “Celebrating Safe Communities” and the winners include:

• 1st place – Metrowest Neighborhood
• 2nd place – Park Lake/Highland Neighborhood
• 3rd place – Carver Shores Neighborhood

National Night Out is an annual event that helps build stronger, safer communities by giving crime a going away party. The event is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support and participation in local anticrime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are working together to keep crime out.

Last year, the City of Orlando was ranked first place in the country for our National Night efforts among population centers of 100,000-299,000 including the amount of neighborhood participation and law enforcement involvement. Orlando has placed in the top winning categories for the last 17 years.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT BACKGROUND:
Last year’s National Night Out in Orlando included more than 37,000 residents from more than 70 neighborhoods participating in the event. Nation-wide the event included more than 37 million people from more than 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide.

WHO:
Orlando City Commissioners
Orlando Police Chief Paul Rooney
Orlando Fire Chief John Miller
Orlando Residents

WHEN & WHERE:

National Night Out Day of Prayer
Sunday, August 5, 2012
All Day
Churches throughout the City of Orlando

National Night Out Kick Off Party
Monday, August 6, 2012
5:00 p.m.
***Mayor Dyer Media Availability: 5:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.***
Target at SODO, 120 West Grant Street

National Night Out
Tuesday August 7, 2012
Schedule for visits to the winning neighborhood block parties is as follows:
5:30 - 6:00 p.m. - Lake Highland Park, 1132 Lake Highland Drive
6:20 - 6:50 p.m. - Poppy Park, 5344 Lescot Lane
7:00 - 7:30 p.m. - Metrowest Golf Club, 2100 South Hiawassee Road