Great Lakes Wire

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan will participate in National Night Out events across the region, joining law enforcement partners and local communities.

Timothy VerHey, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, commented on his office's involvement in Kalamazoo: “I am honored to represent the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan during tonight’s National Night Out events in Kalamazoo.   I will be present with the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety to greet the community and assure Kalamazoo residents that my office remains committed to working with local police to protect their community and the safety of its residents.  This event is an important reminder that our communities are at their best when residents work in tandem with law enforcement for the benefit and good of everyone.  I greatly appreciate the efforts of Kalamazoo residents and community leaders in working with Chief Boysen and local law enforcement to make our neighborhoods better and safer.”

National Night Out is a yearly campaign designed to foster partnerships between law enforcement agencies and neighborhoods, aiming to improve public safety through cooperation. The event takes place annually on the first Tuesday in August across thousands of communities nationwide, drawing participation from millions.

Established in 1984, National Night Out was created with support from the Bureau of Justice Assistance within the U.S. Department of Justice and is managed by the National Association of Town Watch, a nonprofit organization.

Local police departments organize activities such as block parties, cookouts, parades, youth programs, and safety demonstrations during National Night Out. These gatherings aim to build positive relationships between police officers and community members while promoting neighborhood safety.

Further details about National Night Out can be found at https://natw.org/.

In Kalamazoo, this year’s event is scheduled for August 5 at 612 N Park St., beginning at 5:00 p.m.