After months of preparation, the City of Jacksonville and the Jacksonville Police Department will host National Night Out 2015 on Tuesday, August 4th at the Riverwalk Crossing Park in downtown Jacksonville starting at 5:00 -l 9:30PM.
The event promotes cooperation between law enforcement and the community to fight crime and draws the largest crowds of any festival event in Jacksonville. Last year’s event drew over 12,000 attendees. The National Night Out is a unique opportunity to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and generate support for and participation in local anti-crime efforts. National Night Out strengthens neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. The event sends a message that our community is organized and ready to fight back against criminal activity.
National Night Out will feature food, fun and fireworks. The family friendly event is free to the public. The event features live musical entertainment by Freeway (5:30 PM) and the Mardi Gras Band (7:30 PM) on stage by the entry way to the park. Motivational Speaker C.L. King will speak at 7:00 PM. More than 150 vendors and exhibitors will be participating. A bicycle giveaway, food, clowns and balloons, face painting, games and prizes just a few of the attractions the free event. The event culminates in a fireworks display over the New River.
Air conditioned shuttles will operate throughout the event. Pickup locations are:
· Hargett St. at old Piggly Wiggly supermarket parking lot.
· N. Bayshore Blvd. across from City Hall
· New Bridge St. at New Bridge Middle School
· Corner of Chaney Avenue and Court Street
· College St. just before Mill Avenue heading towards Court St.
· College St. at Onslow County Health Dept.
· E. Bayshore Blvd. at New Bridge St.
This is the seventeenth year of Jacksonville’s National Night Out. “For law enforcement to be effective, it must have the support of the people it serves.” stated Chief Mike Yaniero, Director of Public Safety for the City of Jacksonville. “National Night Out cements the importance of the public-private partnership that is key to successful policing.”
“National Night Out provides our community with a chance to meet and know the officers who serve them” stated Captain Ashley Weaver, the coordinator for this year’s NNO. “We appreciate the generosity of our community and business sponsors.”