Only in America?

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT - August 3rd; Millions Will Spend a Night Out
With Neighbors and Police

WYNNEWOOD, Pa., July 21 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, August 3rd, citizens, law
enforcement agencies, community groups, businesses and local officials in over
10,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and
military bases worldwide will join forces to mark the "21st Annual National
Night Out" (NNO) - which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch
(NATW). Nationally, over 33 million people will participate in "America's
Night Out Against Crime" this year.

"During the past few years, people's attention has returned to the security of
their families, homes and neighborhoods," said Matt Peskin, creator of the
event and its National Project Coordinator. "National Night Out offers an
extraordinary opportunity for citizens, community groups, law enforcement and
local officials to get out, meet, greet and discuss local issues."

NASA has joined forces with NATW to help promote National Night Out. The
International Space Station (ISS) astronauts will be sending neighborhoods
participating in NNO a message from 250 miles above the earth. The ISS
astronauts will salute the Night Out celebrations and encourage even more
communities to get involved in crime prevention activities. The message will
be shown on NASA TV.

On the evening of August 3rd, between 7 and 10 p.m., along with the traditional
"lights on" and front porch vigils, there will be thousands of crime prevention
block parties, cookouts, ice cream socials, parades, neighborhood visits by
local police and sheriff's departments, flashlight walks, safety fairs, poster
and essay contests, and neighborhood meetings.

National Night Out is designed to:

(1) Heighten crime, drug and violence prevention awareness;
(2) Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
(3) Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships;
(4) Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are
organized and fighting back.

"National Night Out is a powerful demonstration of neighborhood unity and
police community partnerships," Peskin said. "Millions will be out celebrating
their success, strengthening their partnerships and sending criminals a
powerful message."

Along with nearly every major U.S. city, NNO 2004 will also involve thousands
of suburban and rural communities.

"Project 365," is a unique component to the National Night Out campaign. On
August 3rd, many cities and towns across America will target a "problem area"
(crime, drugs, graffiti, gangs, etc.) in their community. During the next
"365" days, the police and neighborhood groups will be working to solve or
improve the problem. On National Night Out next year, they will announce the
results -- and also select and target areas for 2005. Peskin said, "This is a
way to keep the spirit and momentum of National Night Out alive and working
throughout the year."

National Night Out is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch - in
partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs,
U.S. Department of Justice.

For more information, visit the Association's web site at
http://www.nationalnightout.org/