On National Night Out, hundreds of Arlington residents are expected to gather outdoors to celebrate police and community partnerships. At block parties and social gatherings on Tuesday night, residents will join together to heighten awareness and support for local crime prevention efforts. Most neighborhood activities will begin around 6 p.m.

National Night Out, which is celebrating their 30-year anniversary, is designed to strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community partnerships. It's an event that also sends a message to criminals that Arlington neighborhoods are organized and fighting back against crime, said Sgt. Vince Pewitt with the APD Community Support Bureau.

National Night Out was created by the National Association of Town Watch. Since 1984, this event has grown to involve over 37 million people in more than 15,000 communities. Across the nation, NNO is observed on the first Tuesday in August. Because of the heat, Texas observes NNO on the first Tuesday in October.