National Night Out events to take place Tuesday night throughout Houston area

Shavonne Herndon / Houston Public Media

Neighborhood across the Houston area will celebrate the 39^th annual National Night Out on Tuesday.

National Night Out is a community-building campaign that encourages the community to engage with and partner with its police department. Neighborhoods throughout the region will host their own National Night Out events based on precincts, public safety departments and neighborhoods.

"National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community," the National Night Out website said. "Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances."

Traditionally the events have been block parties or festivals.

"It’s an evening the Sheriff’s Office looks forward to every year because we get to meet our community," Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. "We love serving and strengthening our relationships in the community through personal connections. National Night Out is the time to address and celebrate with our community, but address crime that happens and public safety concerns."

Sheriff Gonzalez says communities are safest when they are patrolled by deputies, people recognize and trust.

"This year, let’s remember the power of building a solid support system throughout the community," Gonzalez said. "We look forward to coming together [Tuesday] with our community."

Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said crime numbers are trending down, thanks in part to the improving relationship between communities and the police.

"It’s an opportunity to make it stronger,"Finner said. "So please come out get to know your neighbors, meet your police officers, the constables the sheriff’s because we are one law enforcement family and sometimes we mention a few, but every person, every uniform, and every department represented here we love you."

Locations in the Houston area include: Cuney Homes Basketball Court, Sawyer Yards Train Shed & Artist Gallery in the Fifth Ward, and Big Brothers Big Sisters on Washington Ave near downtown.