Neighborhood criminals, drugs party with Carson City Sheriff's

Carson City neighborhoods are being encouraged to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide by leaving their porch lights on during the 20th annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event 5-9:30 p.m. Aug. 5.

Residents of Carson City are encouraged to join their neighbors and the Carson City Sheriff's Department at Mills Park for a celebration.

National Night Out includes free hot dogs and SWAT team demonstrations.

"I think this is an opportune time for the community and the sheriffs to do a little bit of holding hands," Sheriff Kenny Furlong said.

If you don't like holding hands, just leave a light on.

"We've been hoping to generate a lot of community interest, and basically, people can leave their porch lights on and still be involved," sheriff's Sgt. Mike Cullen said.

"Essentially, this is Furlong's kickoff for community policing, so we'll have a plethora of folks there," said Lt. Ken Sandage of the Sheriff's Department. "This is not something new nationally, but this is a first for us; we've never done it. Kind of a first for everyone."

Designed to heighten crime awareness and drug-use prevention, the event also generates support for local anti-crime efforts. The community-policing partnership hopes to send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Co-sponsoring the event with the Sheriff's Department is the National Association of Town Watch, involving more than 9,800 communities around the world. The celebration is expected to include a about 33 million people, including in Canadian cities.

Other sponsors are the U.S. Department of Justice, the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Nevada Office of Criminal Justice Assistance.

Also scheduled to attend are a bike patrol, a mounted unit, the National Guard, Nevada Highway Patrol, Care Flight and Carson City Fire Department.

IF YOU GO

What: National Night Out celebration

When: 5 p.m. Aug. 5

Where: Mills Park