LITTLE ROCK – The City of Little Rock is making exciting changes to its National Night Out initiative this year, elevating and energizing the upcoming events to be more inclusive for residents and neighborhoods.

Little Rock's annual observance of National Night Out is Tuesday, Oct. 1. This year, the City is asking residents to come together in the true spirit of community and join each other in celebration of our City. Rather than having National Night Out events in more than a dozen neighborhoods, in 2024 the City will focus on four sites where residents from diverse neighborhoods can gather for food, fellowship and fun. The events promote positive interactions between residents, law enforcement officers and city officials.

Mayor Frank Scott, Jr., joined representatives of the Little Rock Police Department and the City's Department of Housing and Neighborhood Programs in a news conference this afternoon to provide details about the improvements. 

"This year, we are asking neighbors from every part of Little Rock to come together to enjoy National Night Out at four sites: MacArthur Park, War Memorial Park, Southwest Community Center or West Central Community Center," Mayor Scott said. "We know our parks and gathering places are the fabric that connects us all as proud Little Rock residents, and National Night Out is an opportunity to reconnect with each other and with City team members like our police officers, firefighters and code enforcement officers."

National Night Out is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct 1. Residents can expect great food, games and door prizes at each of the four City-managed locations. The City is also partnering with other neighborhoods like Pleasant Valley that have historically held National Night Out programming.

National Night Out is designed to "bring back a true sense of community" through promoting partnerships between residents and law enforcement officers. The goal of National Night Out is to make our neighborhoods safer and more caring places to live.

The four new locations for National Night Out are:

• MacArthur Park, 1000 McMath Drive
• War Memorial Park (near the Fair Park/Zoo Drive roundabout)
• Southwest Community Center, 6401 Baseline Road
• West Central Community Center, 8616 Colonel Glenn Road

A recording of today's news conference is available at this link.