National Night Out in the American Dream City may be months away but Arlington police are encouraging residents to come together, celebrate and mingle at a special community event this summer.

The department'';s National Night Out Project365 Kickoff party is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 23 at the River Legacy Park Legacy Pavilion, 701 NW Green Oaks Boulevard.

The Project365 Kickoff, which will feature food, games, music and plenty of fun, will highlight the National Night Out event that is hosted annually by local communities each fall.

National Night Out promotes crime prevention, police-community partnership and neighborhood camaraderie. It encourages people to turn on their porch lights, step outside, and get to know their neighbors at small block parties. Law enforcement agencies stop by the parties to offer public safety tips and ways to stay connected to their local police departments.

This year'';s National Night Out is set for Tuesday, October 4.