In addition to leaving all your lights on next Tuesday night in support of community safety, area residents are encouraged to participate in a National Night Out community event being held in Tamaqua on the sidewalks along the 100 block of Pine Street.

"The fun and informative nighttime event, called Tamaqua Night Out, is a community building campaign created to heighten crime prevention awareness, generate support and participation for local anti-crime programs and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back," said event coordinator Leona Rega, who also serves as director for the Tamaqua Safety Initiative (TSI).She said, "Last year, 37.5 million people in 15,704 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide participated in National Night Out."She added that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the event.The key part of the event will include a variety of area community groups coming together to host informative activities, provide literature and offer free gifts; such as hot dogs, drinks, flashlights, t-shirts, backpacks, hats, kids tattoos, freeze-pops, balloons and more.Some groups participating will be area Girls/Boy Scouts, Schuylkill Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance, The Tamaqua Police Department (Kid Print Program), members of the DARE Program, Shafer's Pharmacy, Tamaqua Community Crime Watch, Tamaqua Youth Ministries, St. Lukes Hospital, Barry Isett & Associates, Citizens Fire Company, American Hose Company, Right Turn Auto, South Ward Neighborhood committee and the local LOL Youth Writers group.During the event, visitors will be given a punch card and encouraged to walk from table to table learning about or providing input regarding important things that matter to the community. The card will offer chances for a t-shirt and cap on a first-come, first-serve basis.Visitors will also enjoy music and entertainment provided courtesy of Original Sounds Entertainment; DJ's, Brad and Kathy Murphy."Keep your eye out for strolling actors from the Tamaqua Community Theatre, who will provide entertainment in the streets," said Rega, who added that the Majestic House will also be offering activities and games for their residents within the building."This year's event in Tamaqua is scheduled for Tuesday, August 6, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will be held along the sidewalks between the Tamaqua Community Art Center, 125 Pine Street, and American Hose Company on Mauch Chunk Street."Neighborhoods and businesses are encouraged to turn on outside lights as a sign of their support 'Lights on, Crime Out.'," said Rega."This is a night for America to stand together and promote awareness, safety, and neighborhood unity," said National Project Coordinator, Matt Peskin, who added that the worldwide event showcases the vital importance of police-community partnerships and citizen involvement in our fight for a safer nation. "We invite neighborhoods nationwide to join us and give crime a going away party."