Police are hoping that the citizens of Cedartown will help send a clear message to local criminals - the neighborhoods of our city are organized and are fighting back.

From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. tonight, residents in neighborhoods throughout Cedartown and across the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors for the 22nd annual National Night Out crime and drug prevention event.

National Night Out, which is sponsored locally by the Cedartown Police Department, will involve 10,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, over 34 million people are expected to participate. The event is being sponsored in part by the Target Corporation and the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance.

In addition to sending a message to criminals, National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.

National Project Coordinator Matt Peskin said, “This is a night for America to stand together to promote awareness, safety and neighborhood unity. National Night Out showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement in our fight to build a safer nation.”

Locally, the neighborhood around Southside Baptist Church, 409 Cobb St., will be this year’s focus of attention.

The Cedartown Police Department and its Explorer Program has teamed up with Southside Baptist Church, the Cedartown Fire Department and Safe Kids of Georgia in Polk County.

Between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., in the parking lot of Southside Baptist, Cedartown police and the Explorer Post wil present information on crime prevention, drug abuse prevention, gun safety, child safety and the Exchange Club of Cedartown and Explorer Post Child Identification Program. Free gun locks will also be give out.

The fire department will also be present at Southside, with their fire safety house and tips on fire safety and prevention.

Safe Kids will be on hand as well to talk abouy bike safety and distribute free bike helmets.

Capt. Greg Cooper of the Cedartown Police Department stated that each year a different neighborhood in Cedartown will be chosen as the focus area.

According to Peskin, he hopes Aug. 2 will result in neighborhoods around the country coming together to take a stand against crime afflicting their communities.

“We invite neighborhoods nationwide to join us in giving crime and drugs and going away party,” Peskin said.