This year's 2006 National Night Out awards have been announced by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). For the 3rd year in a row, the City of El Cerrito has been recognized as one of the top 50 community awareness programs in cities of its size in the United States or its innovative activities as part of National Night Out. The City has actively supported the award-winning program for the past nine years.

The 23rd annual National Night Out is a unique crime, drug and violence prevention program. The National Association of Town Watch reports that 2006 National Night Out was the largest event to date involving 35.2 million people in 1,125 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories and military bases worldwide.

"I am very honored that our City has been selected to receive this award, said Mayor Janet Abelson. Our Crime Prevention Committee, chaired by Mollie Hazen, has done an outstanding job of coordinating this important event."

National Night Out promotes neighborhood unity. National Night Out highlights the importance of citizen awareness and participation in preventing criminal activity. At the same time, El Cerrito residents have fun attending one of many block parties and other gatherings.

A special award recognizing the City's achievements will be given out by National Association of Town Watch within the next month.

"In being recognized for the 3rd year in a row by the NATW for the City's National Night Out program, this shows the importance that the City as a whole puts on crime prevention, said Corporal Detective Donald Horgan. We were ranked higher this year than last year. This award reflects the hard work put into the city-wide event by city staff, police and fire personnel and especially by the Crime Prevention Committee led by Mollie Hazen. Due to the outreach done during National Night Out, we have seen an increase of requests for home security checks and an awareness of crime related issues in the neighborhoods."

El Cerrito's National Night Out program is produced by the El Cerrito Crime Prevention Committee in coordination with the El Cerrito Police Department.

For more information about National Night Out or to learn how your business or organization can get involved, contact (510) 215-4414, ext. 30.