National Night Out is back for 2021 on Tuesday, August 3.

In 2020, National Night Out was postponed and then canceled due to the COVID-19 restrictions.  But despite the fact that Greensboro is bringing back the requirement that masks be worn in all city facilities beginning on Thursday, August 5, the 2021 National Night Out is planned to be held as scheduled.

National Night Out is sponsored by the Greensboro Police Department as a crime and drug prevention event.  The idea is to hold neighborhood events in order to enhance the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a sense of community.

It also provides an opportunity for police and neighbors to gather under positive circumstances and get to know each other.  People often only meet with police officers in a time of crisis and the neighborhood events provide an opportunity to meet and talk with police officers at a far more relaxed occasion.

National Night Out is celebrated by neighborhoods with a variety of events including block parties, cookouts, parades, flashlight walks, contests and youth programs.

National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug awareness, generate engagement and support for local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community partnerships and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

The Greensboro Police Department has received 23 national awards from the National Association of Town Watch based on the community participation in National Night Out.  In the past more than 150 neighborhoods have participated in the event.

Greensboro city councilmembers talked about participating in National Night Out events at the Monday, August 2 City Council meeting, which was held on Monday so the members of the City Council could participate in National Night Out on Tuesday, the traditional City Council meeting day.  Most said that they planned to attend as many events during the evening as possible but wouldn’t be able to get to them all.

Councilmember Tammi Thurm said she knew that there was no way she could get to all 18 events in her district but would attend as many as possible.

Mayor Nancy Vaughan said she would be riding with Greensboro Police Chief Brian James and they would attend as many of the over 100 neighborhood events in Greensboro as possible.