AKRON, Ohio — EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on July 18, 2022.
AKRON, Ohio- The city of Akron and Mayor Dan Horrigan will host their 39th annual National Night Out on Thursday, Aug. 4.
During the annual celebration, there will be 12 events hosted throughout the city of Akron.
National Night Out (NNO) is an annual community-building campaign that is meant to celebrate community engagement within Akron. The event is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, an organization that encourages and builds the relationship between communities and the police.
“I think now more than ever we need to come together in our city in positive ways, and create space for conversations and engagement,” said Mayor Horrigan. “I believe National Night Out offers an environment that is conducive to open dialogue between our residents, community organizations, faith leaders, elected officials, and law enforcement. The NNO program has deep roots in Akron and I’m looking forward to this year’s numerous events.”
Their goal is to build local programs in an effort to decrease crime and make neighborhoods safer.
“The National Night Out builds unity within our community,” said Gary Wyatt, founder of North Hill Community House. “It promotes City, Police, Community, business partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. The best way to build a safer community is to know your neighbors and your surroundings. The National Night Out triumphs over a culture that isolates us from each other and allows us to rediscover our own communities.”
The National Night Out campaign is expecting over 38 million people from across America to participate in NNO including law enforcement agencies, civic/religious groups and more.
Here is a full list of the events happening at the annual National Night Out:
Firestone Park Community Center
1480 Girard Street
Councilmember Donnie Kammer
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Reservoir Park
1835 Hillside Terrace
Councilmember Sharon Connor
6:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Joy Park Community Center
825 Fuller Street
Mike Dowdell
4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Ed Davis Community Center
730 Perkins Woods Drive
Robert Dowdell
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Patterson Baseball Complex
955 Patterson Avenue
Gary Wyatt
4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Northwest Recreation Center
1730 Shatto Avenue
Councilmember Shammas Malik
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Chestnut Ridge Park
1958 Chestnut Ridge Blvd
Councilmember Mike Freeman
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
St. Ashworth COGIC
1086 Vernon Odom Blvd
Pastor Robert DeJournett
4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Dave’s Supermarket
871 E. Exchange Street
Megan Delong
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
West Hill Church of our Savior
471 Crosby Street
Reverend Debra Bennett
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Highland Square Theater
826 W. Market Street
Councilmember Nancy Holland
4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Vernon Odom Library
600 Vernon Odom Blvd
Theresa Boware
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The video above previously aired on 3News on July 20, 2022.