News Flash

On Tuesday, August 2, more than 100 Durham neighborhoods and groups will join 16,728 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian sites and military bases worldwide in observing the 33rd Annual National Night Out (NNO) crime and drug prevention event. City and state leaders, Durham Police Department (DPD) officials, partnering public safety agencies and community groups will visit neighborhoods holding various NNO celebrations across the city. DPD patrol officers plan to deliver special treats to residents during their visits to NNO sites.

Highlights of Durham’s 2016 NNO observance include the debut of the City Hall On The Go truck and Durham’s “Running Man” Challenge video. City Hall On The Go is a unique mobile platform that will serve, share and connect residents with resources throughout the City of Durham. It is designed to reach out to remote communities within the city and to increase awareness of City services. It will serve residents where they live, work and play. The truck was donated to the City’s Neighborhood Improvement Services Department by DPD.

Durham’s “Running Man” Challenge video, the product of a collaboration between DPD and the Sheriff’s Office, will be released on August 2. The video, produced without the use of taxpayer funds, is another example of the department’s community outreach efforts.

To help promote police-community partnerships, Durham Police Chief C.J. Davis has invited other new and existing Durham leaders to join her tour of various NNO sites. Accompanying Chief Davis will be new Durham Chamber of Commerce CEO Geoff Durham; new Durham Housing Authority Director Anthony Scott; new North Carolina Central University Police Chief Odetta Johnson; NC Pride Director John Short; and El Centro Hispano President/CEO Pilar Rocha-Goldberg.

Once again in conjunction with NNO, DPD is partnering with the Crayons2Calculators “Fill That Bus!” campaign. Each police substation and headquarters has been provided a bin for school supply donations that benefit students and teachers in Durham. The department also encouraged NNO neighborhoods organizers to hold “Fill That Bus!” collections as part of their NNO activities. The overall safety goal is to help to fight crime and poverty with literacy. DPD will collect school supplies until August 17.

The majority of NNO neighborhood events are organized by Durham residents on a voluntarily basis, and specifically target residents of respective neighborhoods. However, the following events, organized by various community groups, are open to the general public:

A.S. Hunter Lodge #825
301 Cook Road
Durham, NC 27713
Food/Games
5:30 to 8 p.m.

Bull City Outreach Ministries
1512 Holloway Street
Durham, NC 27703
Food & Drinks
4:15 to 7:15 p.m.

Duke University/Duke Police Department
Mill Village at Central Campus Anderson Street/Yearby Avenue
Durham, NC 27713
Block Party
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Fisher Memorial Church
420 E. Piedmont Street
Durham, NC 27701
Light refreshments/adult and children activities
6 to 8 p.m.

McDougald Terrace/Sponsored by NC Central Police Department
Burton Park, 1100 Sima Avenue (NEW LOCATION FROM PREVIOUS YEARS)
Durham, NC 27701
Field day with bounce house, games, spoken work, music, food and drinks
3 to 7 p.m.

Omega Psi Phi (Beta Phi Chapter) - Uplift Project, Inc.
1811 Palmer Street
Durham, NC 27707
NNO Community Event
5 to 8 p.m.

Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice
906 Carroll Street
Durham, NC 27701
Neighborhood Gathering
5 to 7 p.m.

Tooties Bar on Rigsbee
704 Rigsbee Avenue
Durham, NC 27701
Indoor/Outdoor Entertainment
4 to 9 p.m.

About National Night Out
NNO is spearheaded each year by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). The purpose of NNO is to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime efforts and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community partnerships. For more information, visit the NATW website at www.nationalnightout.org.

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