It also promotes “neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods a safer and better place to live.”
Said Garner in a statement, “What's going on nationally involving tragedies across the nation, this event couldn't have come at a better time.”
Garysburg’s National Night Out kicks off Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Garysburg Community Center on Highway 46. It is the old Garysburg Elementary School located across the street from town hall.
The event is a collaborative effort between Garysburg, the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office and the police departments of Jackson and Gaston. Probation and parole, the state Highway Patrol and the Garysburg and Gaston fire departments will also participate, Garner said.

(A flyer for the event is available as an attachment at the end of this story)

Mayor Roy Bell will welcome visitors and Chief District Court Judge Brenda Branch will deliver a message. "When Judge Branch speaks, people listen, not only because she's a judge but because her messages touch the lives of so many people and with her busy schedule and other obligations on the same night, we are truly blessed to have her,” Garner said. “We do ask everyone to report to the gymnasium no later than 6:15 to hear her message.”
The event is free and there will be games and amusements for the children from Anytime Rentals. Prizes and school supplies will be given away. There will be food vendors, volunteers from The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and others.
The gymnasium will be available for basketball and informational booths will be set up by various organizations.
Informational booths will be set up by Rural Health and personnel will be providing free blood pressure checks.
There will be booths set up by the following: Northampton County DSS, District 6 District Attorney’s Office, Northampton County Clerk of Court, Garysburg Police Department, Garysburg Neighborhood Crime Watch, Northampton County Sheriff's Office, Hannah's Place, Girl Scouts and Northampton County Public Schools will have a bus on site with a representative discussing school bus safety.
Entertainment will be provided by Jake Rice. “Jake is a local resident and enjoys playing music and participating in our community events,” Garner said.
Northampton County EMS and Atlas Ambulance Services will be on hand. A voter registration booth will be set up for anyone who has not registered to vote and the Garysburg library staff will be available to give tours.
Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith said he is looking forward to the event, as well as one in Seaboard scheduled for the same time on Clay Street. “We participate every year and support the police departments which sponsor it. We look forward to having an interchange and will be there to answer any questions.”