A&M-Commerce National Night Out set for Tuesday

National Night Out event for the A&M-Commerce campus is scheduled for Tuesday Sept. 28, from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the grassy area between Morris Recreation Center and New Pride Apartments.

Activities are planned for all ages, including live bands, a petting zoo, face painting, goodie bags, door prizes, and food and drink. This event is free and open to everyone.

This event is coordinated by the University Police Department (UPD). Chad Ballard and Jason Irvin will be the sponsoring officers.

The official date for the event was Aug. 3, but A&M-Commerce officials and the UPD postponed the local celebration until after the fall semester resumed, in order to have a higher attendance. According to Public Information Officer, Lt. Jason Bone, last year's attendance was about 500. In previous years when the event was held on the national date, only about 50 people were in attendance. Texas will recognize Oct. 5 as its state-wide official date.

National Night Out's ‘America's Night Out Against Crime, began in 1984 under the direction of the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) Executive Director, Matt A. Peskin. NATW was established in 1981 as a national nonprofit crime prevention organization, dedicated to the growth, development and maintenance of organized crime and drug prevention programs.

"It's a nationwide opportunity for communities to promote police-community partnerships, crime prevention and neighborhood camaraderie," Peskin said. "National Night Out represents the kind of spirit, energy and determination that is helping make neighborhoods safer throughout the year."

For information on the NATW organization visit, www.nationalnightout.org.