The Dearborn Police Department invites all residents to attend National Night Out on crime at the Dearborn Police Department on Aug. 6 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The free event is sponsored by Target Stores and the Dearborn Police Department and marks the 30th year of this national event that is celebrated in nearly every city, town and village in the U.S.

In addition to increasing awareness of crime prevention programs, National Night Out also strengthens neighborhood spirit and community-police partnerships, while sending a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized, working with police and are fighting back against crime.

“Dearborn is a prime example of a community that works in partnership with its police department and the private sector,” said Dearborn Police Chief Ronald Haddad. “Together these partnerships have made real strides in crime prevention and quality of life issues.”

Haddad is requesting that in support of National Night Out, all Dearborn residents turn on their front porch lights on August 6, 2013 and make an extra effort to look out for your neighbors.

This year’s event will be held in Dearborn Police Department’s east parking lot, 16099 Michigan Ave., and will include:

• FREE hot dogs, drinks and ice cream

• A Bounce House for the children

• Free throw basketball contests with prizes

• Dearborn Fire Department’s newest Fire Truck and Rescue

In addition, the Dearborn Police Department will have crime prevention material, Neighborhood Watch information; take home Child Identification Kits and NIXLE information available at the event. Dearborn police will also display:

o Police Patrol vehicles (including the new Ford Police Interceptor, both the sedan and SUV)

o Bomb Squad

o SWAT Team

o K9 Unit

o Armored Personnel Carrier

o Mobil Command Post

Additional law enforcement agencies will also be on site, including:

o Michigan Department of Natural Resources (including a pickup truck and zodiac static display)

o Detroit Police Special Response Team

o U. S. Secret Service

o Michigan State Police Motorcycle Units

o Wayne County Down River Dive Team (including Truck and Trailer Static Display)

o Oakwood Hospital Security Police

o Fairlane Town Center Security

o University Of Michigan Police

o Helicopter landing

o U.S. Army

National Night Out, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, is a neighborhood crime and drug prevention event that occurs annually on the first Tuesday in August every year. Last year’s national campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities from all 50 states. This year’s event in Dearborn is sponsored by Target stores located in Dearborn and Allen Park.

This event is in line with Department of Homeland Security Secretary Napolitano’s  “If you See Something, Say Something” campaign. Chief Haddad participated in the development of this campaign and he has implemented it throughout the City of Dearborn promoting community involvement in combating crime.