CARY, NC – Tomorrow night, neighborhoods throughout Cary will join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the 19^th Annual "National Night Out" (NNO) crime and drug prevention event. NNO 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.

"The close, positive relationship we enjoy with our community is one of the most important assets we have in fighting crime," said Cary Police Chief Windy Hunter. "Participating in National Night Out is one of many ways we reach out to and stay in touch with the neighborhoods we serve."

From 6 - 10 p.m. on August 6^th, residents in neighborhoods throughout Cary and across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights, and spend part of the evening outside with neighbors and police. In Cary, two teams of police, fire, EMS, and dignitaries—Mayor Glen Lang, Mayor Pro Tem Jack Smith, Council member Marla Dorrel, and Council member Harold Weinbrecht--will travel throughout town according to the following schedule:

1. Carolina House of Cary
contact person: Rhonda Quattlebaum
Time: 6 p.m. telephone no: 460-5959
location: 111 McArthur Dr.

2. The Marquis at Preston
contact person: Bridget Markovsky
Time: 6:30 p.m. telephone no: 460-9293
location: 2500 Grove Club Ln.

3. Brookgreen Forest
contact person: Lori Tryon
Time: 7:15 p.m. telephone no: 380-8831
location: cul-de-sac of Cibola Dr.

2. Lochmere Village
contact person: Gay Purvis & Sally Resnick
Time: 6:30 p.m. telephone no: 854-1896 859-4751
location: Marvista Ct.

3. Coventry Glen/Coventry Woods
contact person: Vickie Lonker
Time: 7:05 p.m. telephone no: 605-8336
location Tower Hamlet Dr.

4. Wimbledon
contact person: Shawn Madden
Time: 7:45 p.m. telephone no: 462-0670
location: 129 Wilander Dr.

5. Fox Chase
contact person: Michele Agrest
Time: 8:30 p.m. telephone no: 517-1295 (work) or 434-5086 (home)
location: Silver Fox Ct.

NNO is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and co-sponsored locally by the Town of Cary. Last year it involved over 33 million people in 9,700 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases around the world.

"This is perhaps National Night Out's most significant year as a result of September 11th," said Matt Peskin, creator of the event and National Project Coordinator. "People are looking for ways to get involved and make their communities - and the nation - a safer place. National Night Out is a great vehicle to help Americans become motivated and involved in their communities."