Mayor Luke Ravenstahl today encouraged Pittsburgh neighborhoods to participate in this year’s National Night Out (NNO) to be held on Tues., Aug. 2, 2011. The Mayor has created a user-friendly webpage that makes it easier for community groups to host a NNO event by providing them with a packet of information on the many public safety resources available for their neighborhood. Organization’s hosting a NNO event are asked to register on the Mayor’s public safety website at nno.pittsburghpa.gov. Upon registration, organizers will receive the additional resources that will help to make their event successful.

“Pittsburgh is experiencing its third straight year of historic crime lows, but a key part of our City’s Third Renaissance is our efforts to drive our crime rates down even lower in our neighborhoods,” Ravenstahl said. “In order to achieve this, we need neighbors and police working together. National Night Out provides an opportunity for community organizations to host fun events like picnics and porch parties that help to build relationships between neighbors and police officers. Neighborhoods that host these events send a clear message to criminals that crime is not welcome.”

NNO is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and is an opportunity for neighborhoods to raise awareness of crime prevention in a fun, family friendly environment. In addition, It is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, encourage participation in neighborhood anticrime programs and strengthen police-community partnerships. Last year over 25 Pittsburgh neighborhoods participated in NNO.

The Mayor has created an easy, user-friendly website for neighborhoods to register their planned NNO events at nno.pittsburghpa.gov. Upon registration, organizations will receive a packet of useful public safety information created specifically for local community groups. Each packet includes: tips on how to start a local block watch; an informational sheet that lists all public safety contacts specific to that community; the 2011 Annual Police Report; a Nuisance Property Task Force brochure; and PIRC community response cards.

Mayor Ravenstahl will also be issuing a proclamation declaring August 2, 2011, “National Night Out” in the City of Pittsburgh. All community groups participating in NNO will received a copy of the proclamation along with a thank you letter from the Mayor.