The Poplar Bluff Housing Authority will host the 2021 National Night Out from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at its offices at 302 N. E St.
The local housing authority is “proud” to host the event, said Tammy Harper with the agency.
The annual event is a community-building campaign promoting strong police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer and more caring places to live and work.
More than 38 million people across 16,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide celebrate the event.
From 5-8 p.m., neighbors throughout Poplar Bluff and across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on their front porch lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and law enforcement.
National Project Coordinator Matt Peskin said, “This is a night for our nation to stand together and promote awareness, safety and neighborhood unity. National Night Out showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement. When law enforcement and the community work closely together, some amazing things can happen.”
Together with the help of the community, Harper said, the Poplar Bluff Housing Authority has been hosting the event locally since 2019. Typically, National Night Out is held on the first Tuesday in August. This year, the housing authority decided to join southern states like Texas and celebrate the first Tuesday in October.
“Our first event was a huge success,” said Harper. “We had to cancel in 2020 due to the pandemic, but this year we are back and excited to host it again. Many of our community partners are chipping in to help make this the best one yet. We have a lot to celebrate in Poplar Bluff, and this is a chance for us to come together as a community.”
National Night Out is nationally sponsored by NATW, Ring, New York Life, Starbucks, Associa, AT&T, Academy Sports+Outdoors and co-sponsored locally by the housing authority.
Along with the traditional outside lights and front porch vigils, most communities celebrate by hosting block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and other various community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and more.
The community-wide event will include games and activities for children and adults. Food will be provided along with visits from the local law enforcement and other first responders. This event is free and is open to the public. For more information, contact Harper at the housing authority or by calling 573-785-8265.