VALDOSTA — With a focus on making Valdosta and Lowndes County a safer, more caring place to live, Valdosta State University will host National Night Out.

It is scheduled for 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, on the VSU front lawn.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie in an effort to prevent crime, according to university officials. 

It was first introduced in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch, a nonprofit organization designed to provide community watch groups with the necessary resources and assets to stay informed, interested, involved and motivated. It is observed across the United States and its territories, in Canada, and on military bases around the world.

Community businesses, religious organizations, nonprofits, and civic groups interested in participating in National Night Out should contact Sgt. Heidi Browning with the VSU Police Department, (229) 333-6024 or hnbertsch@valdosta.edu, by 5 p.m. Monday, July 23. 

All kinds of family-friendly activities and treats are welcome. Activities include face painting, carnival-type games and foods, puppet shows, arts and crafts, storytelling, etc. Selling will not be permitted at the event, according to university officials. 

The VSU Police Department, Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, Valdosta Police Department, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Remerton Police Department, Hahira Police Department, Lake Park Police Department, Valdosta Fire Department, Moody Air Force Base, Kona Ice, Air Life, Target and Home Depot are scheduled to attend National Night Out, according to university officials.