Thousands of residents across St. Tammany will join members of law enforcement and other public safety officials for the 26th annual National Night Out Against Crime Tuesday evening.

The National Association of Town Watch, a nonprofit, crime prevention organization that works in partnership with crime watch groups and law enforcement agencies all over the country, sponsors the event. Communities in all 50 states, Canada and U.S. territories, as well as a number of military bases around the world will be involved, and in all more than 37 million people are expected to participate.

The goal of the program is to foster relationships between members of the community and its police department, while preventing crime and promoting neighborhood camaraderie. Residents are encouraged to spend the evening outside their homes with their neighbors, police officers and firefighters. The general idea is to hold a block party where neighbors can pull up a chair, enjoy food and drink, and spend time getting to know one another.

Capt. Kevin Foltz, right, and Assistant Chief of Police Jesse Simon, center, both of the Slidell Police Department, chat with Buddy Lloyd during a block party held in the Brugier neighborhood as part of the 2008 National Night Out Against Crime. A number of similar events are scheduled to take place on Tuesday. (File photo)

Slidell Police Chief Freddy Drennan and other members of the Slidell force will travel to a number of parties in Slidell, while St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain is expected to attend several parties throughout the parish. Members of the Mandeville and Covington police departments are scheduled to participate as well.

“We always look forward to these events, because it’s a great chance for citizens to join hands with law enforcement,” said Slidell Assistant Chief of Police Jesse Simon. “Law enforcement is not something we do solely on our own; it is much more effective when neighbors look out for one another.”

Many parties will feature a wide variety of children’s activities, music, guest speakers, door prizes and much more. Some events are potluck, while others feature food and drinks donated by various local restaurants. Mandeville resident Bonne Romano has hosted her neighborhood’s party for four years, and the Carriage Lane Estates event has won national recognition for the past three years in a row.

“It’s such a great opportunity to get to know your neighbors, and to meet the first responders,” said Romano. “When you put a face with a name, they take on a human aspect, so they’re not just a uniform.”

All residents are encouraged to turn on their front porch and yard lights Tuesday evening in keeping with a National Night Out tradition. In addition to showing support for local law enforcement, it helps light the way for those out walking from house to house.

For more information on events near you, call your local homeowner’s association, or the Slidell Police Department at 646-4350, Mandeville Police at 624-3111, Covington Police at 892-8500, and the STPSO at 867-5173.