LOUISIANA, Mo. — Louisiana Community Betterment Association in conjunction with the Louisiana Police Department are sponsoring National Night Out on the evening of Fri., August 6, 2021.  National Night Out is normally celebrated the first Tuesday of August every year, but this year, it was moved to Friday night in hopes of getting a better community participation response.  National Night Out is an annual community building program that promotes positive community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.  This in turn helps to make neighborhoods safer and more caring places to live.

These NNO Block Parties also help to enhance the relationship between neighbors and emergency personnel and police, while bringing back a sense of community.  Neighbors are encouraged to host block parties, cookouts and various activities to bring their neighbors together.  Churches can also help organize an event by hosting a block party in their parking lots for the surrounding neighborhood.  Neighbors can bring their lawn chairs and a covered dish to share.

“Getting to know your neighbors is a great way to decrease problems in your area,” stated Diana Huckstep, LCBA Chairperson.  “This is a wonderful way to form new friendships and if you know who your neighbors are, you are more likely to keep an eye on what is going on in your neighborhood and that helps to deter crime,” stated Huckstep.

Representatives from the Louisiana Police Department and Pike Safe Neighborhoods will be out and about for the evening function.  They will be happy to drop by your block party, introduce themselves and meet everyone, in an effort to build better public relationships with the citizens.

Anyone wishing to host a block party needs to register their event with the Louisiana Police Department by calling 573-754-4021.  This gives local emergency workers a record of who is hosting a party and helps them plan their visits.