Dundalk Communities Ready for National Night Out

Many neighborhoods will look a little brighter than usual tonight when residents are encouraged to turn on their porch lights and have an active presence on their streets and in their neighborhoods.

Tonight, Aug. 7, marks the 29th annual National Night Out, a nationwide initiative designed to nurture and strengthen the community-police partnership, according to a statement from the Baltimore County Police Department.

Last year, more than 37 million people in over 15,000 communities nationwide came together to recognize National Night Out, according to the statement.

Officials encourage residents and business owners to install blue porch lights, hang blue holiday lights or use blue filters in light fixtures to show support of local law enforcement and the anti-crime initiative.

In Greater Dundalk, communities stretching from Millers Island to St. Helena and Turner Station plan neighborhood gatherings that include cookouts as a show of solidarity against crime.

Neighborhoods that haven't planned formal events are encouraged to get together and start a new tradition.

"We know citizens care about making communities as safe as possible," police officials said in the statement. "Use this opportunity to show criminals that they are not welcome on your block!"

Here is a list of the planned neighborhood gatherings in North Point Police Precinct 12:

Name of Group: St. Helena Community Association
Contact person: Shirley Gregory 410 633-6077
Outreach officer: Off. Fluck
Location: St. Helena Community Center, 6509 Colgate Ave.
Time: 6-9 p.m.
Type: Cookout

Name of Group: Millers Island Community Association
Contact person: Bob Hart 410-477-2668
Outreach officer: Off. Shipley
Location: Tot Lot/Millers Island Rd. and Baylight Ave.
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Type: Cookout

Name of Group: Turner Station Recreation Council/Day Village Apartments
Contact person: Gloria Nelson
Outreach officer: Off. Fluck
Location: Turner Station Parks and Recreation, Avondale & Rayme Aves.
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Type: Cookout

Name of Group: Eastfield/Stanbrook Community Association
Contact person:  Karen Cruz 410-285-7399
Outreach officer: Off. Fluck
Location: Stansbury Park at Denbury and Moorgate Roads
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Type: Cookout

Name of Group: Old Inverness Community Association
Contact person: Becky Karatzas 410-285-1425
Outreach officer: Off. Shipley
Location: Inverness Community Park, Bayside & Beach Dr.
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Type: Cookout

Name of Group: North Point Village Civic Association
Contact person: Dave Patro 410-477-4095
Outreach officer: Off. Wilking
Location: Battle Grove Park, 7715 N. Battle Grove Rd.
Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
Type: Cookout

Name of Group: Key Landing Apartments
Contact person: Crystal Gladney 443-635-0166
Outreach officer: Off. Wilking
Location: Lynch Rd. near Bear Ridge Dr.
Time: 6 to 10 p.m.
Type: Cookout with DJ and karaoke

Name of Group: Dunlogan/Old Dundalk Community Association
Contact person: Rhonda Crisp/Becky Terjung 410-627-0249
Outreach officer: Off. Fluck
Location: Heritage Park Gazebo, Trading and Centre Place
Time: 6-10 p.m.
Type: Cookout

Are you planning to participate in your nighborhood's national Night Out event? Tell us about it in the comments.

Post photos of your event on this page.