By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Thousands of Western New Yorkers will be lighting up their neighborhoods Tuesday night for the annual "National Night Out."
The message of National Night Out is a simple one -- people speaking out in one voice that crime and drugs are not tolerated in their neighborhoods. Organizers say it's an especially important message in a summer that has seen an escalation of violence in parts of the city.
Buffalo Police Lieutenant James Murphy of the Crime Prevention Association of Western New York said the goal of National Night Out is to build relationships.
Neighborhoods throughout the region, from the city to the suburbs, will mark National Night Out with block parties, flashlight walks and law enforcement demonstrations.
Activities begin Monday afternoon at a news conference in Delaware Park where authorities will talk about the importance of neighborhood watch groups and block clubs to community policing.
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