ALLEN COUNTY, Ind. (WANE)— The Fort Wayne Police Department and Allen County Sheriff’s Department are joining thousands of other agencies across the country to celebrate the annual National Night Out on Tuesday.
National Night Out started 43 years ago in the western suburbs of Philadelphia. The national celebration has since grown to include more than 17,000 communities that take part. The goal is to provide a time and space where neighbors can practice camaraderie. Supporters of the celebration claim that knowing your neighbors and your surroundings create a safer community.
Fort Wayne’s celebration will take place at Memorial Park in the East Central neighborhood from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event is free. It will include 20 community service tables and events for kids like face painting, balloon artists, and a mobile gaming trailer. Mission BBQ will be on-site, passing out food. FWPD’s Special Ops teams, Fort Wayne Fire Department, Animal Care and Control, Indiana State Police, TRAA, and Indiana Department of Natural Resources will join.
The department will also give away 500 backpacks…