National Night Out

October 5-9, 2020

Because of limitations for mass gatherings in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, City leadership and the the planners of Jacksonville’s National Night will not hold a traditional one-night large scale event. This year, National Night Out will be a series of smaller gatherings and virtual events that will take place October 5-9, 2020. See below for details.

Scheduled Events:

September 29-October 8 Selfie With A Cop Contest - Take a picture with a Jacksonville Police Officer and submit it to pdlocator@jacksonvillenc.gov for the chance to win a $100 gift card. Please remember masks and social distancing. Submit photos with your name and permission to share with the public by 4PM, October 8, 2020. Parents must give permission for photos with kids. Qualified submissions will be posted on the Jacksonville Public Safety Facebook page, and public vote will open on October 8, 2020 once submissions have closed and pictures are posted. The Selfie Contest winner will be announced by 5PM on Friday, October 9, 2020. City of Jacksonville employees and their family are not eligible to win but are encouraged to participate. Monday, October 5* 8AM - Opening Ceremony begins airing on G10TV, Facebook and G10TV Drive by Parade at Jacksonville Elementary Schools with Police and Fire vehicles. (virtual only for the public)
Tuesday, October 6 6PM - Drive Through including Static Displays with Police and Fire vehicles at Catalyst Church, 1985 Gum Branch Road
Wednesday, October 7 9-10:30AM - Open Air Coffee With A Cop at the Jacksonville Commons Park and Ride,100 Recreation Lane. Using social distancing, enjoy a free cup of coffee, see displays with Police and Fire vehicles at this outdoor event. 2:30-4:30PM - Lemonade on the Lawn at the Jacksonville Commons Adult Center, 100 Recreation Lane. Drive Through Static Displays with Police and Fire vehicles.
Thursday, October 8 2-4PM Drive Through Static Displays with Police and Fire vehicles at outside at Jacksonville Mall. 6PM - Prayer Vigil to be held outdoors at Riverwalk Crossing Park. The City's Police Chaplain will lead a session of prayer for unity.
Friday, October 9 Drive by Parade at Jacksonville Elementary Schools with Police and Fire vehicles. (virtual only for the public) 5PM Closing Ceremony to air on G10TV, YouTube and Facebook. Winner of Selfie with a Cop Contest to be announced

About National Night Out

National Night Out is America’s night out against crime and is usually held annually on the first Tuesday of August at Riverwalk Crossing Park in downtown Jacksonville. The City of Jacksonville, along with community partners, hosts this exciting annual event to celebrate community and to promote crime prevention. More than 12,000 citizens attend each year. Jacksonville’s NNO is Free and Open to the Public. Jacksonville’s NNO event won the NC Association of Festivals and Events, Event of the Year Award a few years ago and organizers are working to make this year’s event even better! Jacksonville’s National Night Out is open to the public. Check out photos from previous Jacksonville’s NNO Events

Running With The Law 10K & 5K Virtual Race

August 19 - October 9, 2020

Due to the current mandate ordered by Governor Cooper, we are changing this year's race to a virtual one for the 5K and 10K, with all proceeds still benefiting the NC Special Olympics. The one mile fun run/walk option is not available.

Running With the Law Virtual 10K & 5K is a sister event to Jacksonville’s National Night Out taking place throughout the week of October 5-9, 2020. Jacksonville Police kicked off the virtual race by running the traditional 5K route at the Jacksonville Commons on September 2, 2020. Sign up is open now to participate and support a good cause. Complete your run and turn in your time by 5PM, October 9. This is a RACEJOSC Series event. Your time counts when you send your time in. Find out how at Register online l RaceJOSC.com

These are the times to beat!

22:50 Officer Steve Carpenter
26:30 Nick Brauninger (Recreation Staff)
28:00 PSO Scott Rixmann
31:30 Cpl Vanessa Smith
31:30 Capt Devon Bryan
33:30 Sgt Vincent Waldell
35:20 Officer Candida Reynoso

Running With the Law Virtual Run Kickoff - Law Enforcement run the 5K Opens in new window

Thank you Jacksonville-Onslow Sports Commission for adding Running With The Law to the RaceJOSC.com Series.

Proceeds for Running with the Law support NC Special Olympics. Runners receive a finisher Medal and NC Special Olympics T-Shirt.

This event is open to the public. Questions? Call 910 938-5312.

Early registration - $25, ends October 1 at Noon
Youth Registration (12 & Under) - $10
Registration after October 1 at noon - 5K $30
~~Race packet pick up will take place on Friday October 2 from 9AM-6PM at the Commons Recreation Complex Administration office.~~
~~Race Starts at 7:30AM~~
Participants receive an event t-shirt & finisher medal once their time is uploaded at the registration website.
~~Medals (various age groups, overall male, female)~~
Proceeds benefit NC Special Olympics

Help Make These Events Great

Vendors - There will be no vendor spaces available for the revised 2020 event. Please check back next year.

A limited number of vendor spaces are available for food vendors, commercial businesses, and non-profit groups/agencies. Jacksonville’s National Night Out is an annual police-community partnership event with a goal to raise awareness on the following topics: Public Safety, Crime Prevention, Health, Education and Youth Programs. Therefore, it will be a mandatory requirement for all vendors (with the exception of food vendors) to indicate on the application how they will promote one of these topics. If you have any questions or concerns, please call 910 455-4000.

Support - We hope you or your organization will consider being a sponsor for National Night Out. It’s a great way to give back to your community and make connections. To sponsor this event, please call NNO Sponsor Coordinator, Beth Purcell at 910 455-1772.