This year's event, sponsored jointly by the Halifax County Sheriff's Office and the Roanoke Rapids and Weldon police departments, will be held at Doyle Field next to the T.J. Davis Recreation Center on August 5. Time will be 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. In case of rain the event will be held at the Kirkwood Adams Community Center on the same evening.

“National Night Out is a featured event for local law enforcement to be a part of the community,” said Roanoke Rapids Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon. “We're very pleased to see not only Roanoke Rapids, but the chief of Weldon and sheriff of Halifax County working together.”

The Raleigh band North Tower will be the featured entertainment, playing a mix of oldies, beach, funk and Top 40 music, Roanoke Rapids police Captain Andy Jackson said. “They're a fun band and really enjoy playing community events in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. We're inviting all the communities to come together to socialize, exchange ideas and foster relationships.”

The event is free and Weldon police Chief Mark Macon said there will be games and amusements for the children, as well as food and gift vendors.

“It's really a collaboration of all law enforcement agencies working together. It's a brotherhood,” Macon said.

Jackson said beyond the entertainment, the idea of National Night Out, which nationally will celebrate its 31st year, is to build relationships within the community.

“We meet some of the best people,” said Chief Deputy Bruce Temple of the sheriff's office. “This is an invitation, an outreach program so people can get their questions answered.”

Roanoke Rapids police Chief Thomas Hathaway said the event will help the community see law enforcement in a different light. “Usually people see us at negative or bad events. We are public servants in both good and bad situations.”

In addition to the entertainment, there will different community outreach groups at the event sharing information on their services. Programs such as Crimestoppers, Neighborhood Watch and Church Watch will be represented, as well as Citizens on Patrol, which will do child fingerprinting. Masons and Shriners will also have vendor booths and Roanoke Rapids will have its Safetypup walking the area.

Sheriff Wes Tripp said National Night Out shows the community, “That working together works. It's a national program that brings the community out.”

Tripp said the location of the event, Doyle Field, should help draw a good crowd. “It's a great location and if it gets dark on us we can always turn the lights on.”

For more information contact Tripp at 252-578-6761; Macon at 252-536-1801 or Jackson at 252-326-3938.