On Tuesday, August 1st, the residents of Big Rapids and the surrounding
communities are being invited out to join forces with thousands of communities nation wide for
the “40th Annual National Night Out” (NNO) crime and drug prevention event.

National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and co-sponsored locally by the Big Rapids Police Department, will involve over 16,400 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases around the world. NNO 2022 corporate sponsors are Associa, Starbucks, ADT, and L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence).

National Night Out is designed to: (1) Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2)
Generate support for and participation in, local anticrime efforts; (3) Strengthen neighborhood
spirit and police-community partnerships; and (4) Send a message to criminals letting them
know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

From 5 to 8 P.M. on August 1st, residents from Big Rapids and across the nation are asked to
lock their doors, turn on outside lights, and spend the evening outside with neighbors and
police. NNO will be held in downtown Big Rapids on Michigan Ave. The street will be closed off
from Pine St. to Elm St. for the event. There will be games, prizes, music, free food, and much,
much more! Best of all, the entire event is free to all who attend.

If you have any questions, please call Community Relations Officer William Sell at 231-527-
0005.