LAKEPORT, Calif. – The city of Lakeport will host its third annual National Night Out event on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

The Lakeport City Council will cancel its regular meeting in order to take part in the event, which will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the new Lakeport Police Station – the former Social Security office – at 2025 S. Main St.

Special events will include a youth game area and a raffle for bikes with helmets. In order to eligible for the bike raffle, children will need to check in at the Lakeport Police Drug Education Booth.

This will be a great opportunity for the community to meet and greet city council members, city staff, Lakeport Police Department personnel, and local public agencies such as the Lakeport Fire Protection District, California Highway Patrol and Lake County Social Services, to name a few.

Other visitors will include McGruff the Crime Dog and Chipper from the CHP.

Major sponsors for this event include Grocery Outlet, Lake County News, Kmart, Main Street Bikes, Pak ‘N Mail, KXBX and KPFZ.

Hot dogs will be grilled by the Lakeport Kiwanis and will be available to the first 200 people to attend the event.

Learn about starting a Neighborhood Watch group for your street and check out exhibits demonstrating how your local tax dollars are used.

The Lakeport Fire Protection District will be on hand to show off their fire trucks for the children.

In 1984, the National Association of Town Watch, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development and promotion of various crime prevention programs, introduced National Night Out, “America’s Night Out Against Crime.” 

This began an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities, police-community partnerships, neighborhood camaraderie, and to send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

The traditional “lights on” campaign and symbolic front porch vigils turned into a celebration across America with various events and activities including, but not limited to, block parties, cookouts, parades, visits from emergency personnel, rallies and marches, exhibits, youth events, safety demonstrations and seminars, in effort to heighten awareness and enhance community relations.

The city also is encouraging neighborhoods to get involved in putting on their own National Night Out event that evening by holding a block party.

For updates follow the city of Lakeport's Web site at www.cityoflakeport.com or the Lakeport Police Department's Facebook page.