Want to go?

• A free National Night Out program will be held from 6-8 tonight in Cleveland Park. The event offers food, games, music and safety information.

By TERESA KILLIAN

Staff Writer

More than 40 residents at Mountainview Nursing Home turned a neighborhood gathering centered on crime prevention last week into a lot of fun, and that's part of the idea behind National Night Out events to be held across the country tonight.

To kick off National Night Out, nursing home residents shared popcorn, orange drinks, live music and conversation with their neighbors, firefighters and city and county law enforcement officers.

They also heard crime prevention tips, such as monitoring unfamiliar people or cars in the community. They were told about safeguarding personal information to combat identity theft. Their National Night Out kickoff brought them together and strengthened their relationship with officers.

"It ended up to be a really nice night," said Gayle Blanton, activities director at Mountainview Nursing Home.

Tonight, neighbors across the country will come together for the official celebration of the 21st Annual National Night Out.

Last year, more than 34 million people took part in the National Association of Town Watch-organized event.

Anyone can participate. Just turn on outside house lights as a sign of neighborhood support, or enjoy a neighborhood cookout.

In Lyman, for instance, residents are being encouraged to burn their outside lights, sit on their porches and spend the evening with neighbors and police officers. Police also will give away free child identification kits from 7:30-9:30 tonight at the Gazebo Park at the corner of Groce Road and Old Spartanburg Road.

"This is the first year we've been involved, but we think this will truly help the community come together for at least one night," said Lyman Police Chief Scott Suttles.

Larger activities in the Upstate include a program at Cleveland Park in Spartanburg planned for about 500 people.

There will be food and activities such as train rides and a climbing wall.

Those who come will have opportu-

nities to learn about making their communities safer. They can get to know the law enforcement officers who not only serve them but also rely on them for help in doing their jobs fighting crime.

National Night Out gatherings send a message, says Sgt. Tyrone Johnson with the city's Public Safety Department.

"Neighborhoods are organizing and fighting back against criminal activity," Johnson said.

Teresa Killian can be reached at 562-7216 or teresa.killian@shj.com.

Staff Writer Amanda Ridley contributed to this report.