For 25 years, the Des Moines Police Department has dispatched police officers, horses, canine officers and tactical vehicles across the city for special appearances in conjunction with National Night Out.

The goal of the nationwide event is to heighten crime- and drug-prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen the tie between residents and officers, and to take a stand against crime. Activities are planned to encourage neighbors to meet one another and common themes for the evening are games, cookouts, potlucks or ice cream socials.

National Night Out is Tuesday and in Des Moines nearly three dozen events are planned by more than 30 of the city’s 54 neighborhood associations and several apartment and multifamily housing complexes.

Several neighborhood organizations and community groups have scheduled activities for Tuesday’s National Night Out. Sgt. Jason Halifax, spokesman for the Des Moines Police Department, said it’s important for officers to attend and have a presence at the area events.

“We recognize the importance and value of creating, fostering and maintaining relationships with community members and citizens,” Halifax said. “It goes along with the concept of community policing, where you create relationships beforehand and hopefully no problems occur later on. The chief sees value in that.”

The police department’s neighborhood-based service delivery program official agrees, Halifax said, and also will be in attendance at various events. Some events will host canine officers and their officer-handlers who are scheduled to be on patrol at the time of National Night Out area events; others will see mounted officers and their steeds, beat officers and watch commanders.

“Those who are already working a shift at that time will stop by” some of the events, Halifax said.

“The bomb squad and SWAT team will be sending crews to several different events, too. They usually stay 10 or 15 minutes, so they can get to several of the neighborhood events.”

The SWAT team will be at the Beaverdale, Downtown, Highland Park, Indianola Hills and Oak Park neighborhood association events. Bomb squad members will be at Downtown, Merle Hay, Fairgrounds, Highland Park, Magnolia Park and Oak Park events.

Larry Bradshaw, president of the Downtown Des Moines Neighborhood Association, said his group will be teaming up with the East Village Neighborhood Association again this year for its event, which runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Long Look Gardens near City Hall. The two associations are among the city’s largest and have a significant number of businesses as members.

“It’s a good opportunity to bring neighbors together and to work with the police department, to build relationships with the police department and for them to show their dedication to our neighborhoods and association members,” Bradshaw said.

At the joint event, a variety of business members will showcase their specialties, restaurants will share samples and businesses will extend giveaways. Anywhere from 100 to 200 people routinely attend the event if the weather cooperates.

“Splash usually provides appetizers and wine, Work Rehab offers information about physical therapy, and the YMCA provides prizes and information about their facility,” Bradshaw said. “We also will have live music and guest appearances from leaders like Tom Hockensmith and Chris Hensley.”

National Night Out started 31 years ago by the group National Association of Town Watch; Des Moines has continually participated the past 25 years.

Residents are encouraged to attend the event hosted by their neighborhood association or other nearby group. Police also encourage turning on porch lights to show support of the National Night Out initiative.

National Night Out

The annual evening to celebrate crime- and drug-prevention efforts is Tuesday. Police encourage neighborhood groups to hold block parties and special activities and to turn on porch lights. The following are events in north and east Des Moines, listed by the host group:

• Capitol East Neighborhood: 6-9 p.m. Ashfield Park, 720 E. 19th St. Hamburgers, hot dogs, side dishes. Bingo game with prizes for the little kids.

• Capitol Park, M.L. King Jr. Park neighborhoods: 6-8 p.m. M.L. King Park Shelter, 1650 Garfield Ave. Inflatables, splash pad, face painting, raffles, food and the Disney movie “Nut Job” at dusk.

• Downtown Neighborhood, Historic East Village Neighborhood: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Long Look Gardens near City Hall. Live music. Local area businesses will also display their services and/or food. Food and drink samples.

• Douglas Acres Neighborhood: 5:30-7 p.m. Euclid Room, 2540 E Euclid Ave. Hamburger and hot dog cookout.

• Fairground Neighborhood: 6-7:30 p.m., VFW Post 738 at 2801 Dean Ave. Picnic meal, cotton candy, snow cones, popcorn, bounce house and door prizes.

• Fairmont Park Neighbors: 6-8 p.m. Fairmont Park, 2520 Hull Ave. Baked goods, kid’s books, lemonade, water, kids show and games.

• Grays Woods Neighborhood: 6-8 p.m. 1229 E. 35th St. Hawaiian theme, potluck, bring a side dish, dress Hawaiian.

• Highland Park Neighborhood Association: 6-8 p.m. Harding Middle School, Cornell and Euclid avenues. Parking lot south of the playground.

• Oak Park Neighborhood: 6-8 p.m. McHenry Park, 1012 Oak Park Ave.

• Park Winds Apartments: 5- 8 p.m. 3608 E. Douglas Ave. Food, fun and drinks.

• Union Park Neighborhood: 5-7 p.m. Union Park United Methodist Church, 2305 E. 12th St. Cookout, games and prizes. Music with DJ.

National Night Out

The annual evening to celebrate crime- and drug-prevention efforts is Tuesday. Police encourage neighborhood groups to hold block parties and special activities and to turn on porch lights. The following are events in south Des Moines, listed by the host group:

• Easter Lake Neighborhood: 6-8 p.m. Easter Lake Park Shelter #1. Potluck.

• Indianola Hills and McKinley/Columbus Park Neighborhoods: 6-8 p.m. Columbus Park, 1921 S.E. First St., blue gazebo. Lemonade, water and food.

• Magnolia Park Neighborhood: 6-8 p.m. South Union Elementary School, 4201 South Union St.

• Meadows Apartments: 6-8 p.m. 7500 Meadow Lands Drive.

• Somerset Apartments: 5-7 p.m. 6500 S.E. Fifth St. Field night, volleyball, basketball, tennis, hot dogs, chips and pop.

• Southwestern Hills Neighborhood: 5-6:45 p.m. Wakonda Christian Church, 3938 Fleur Drive, south parking lot. Food.

• South Park Neighborhood: 5-8 p.m. Jordan Park, 600 E. Wall Ave. Hot dogs, chips, water and cookies.

• Sutton Hill Apartments: 4:30-7:30 p.m. 2100 S.E. King Ave.

• Willowbend Apartments: 5-7 p.m. 6700 S.W. Ninth St. Bounce house, kid’s games and food.

National Night Out

The annual evening to celebrate crime- and drug-prevention efforts is Tuesday. Police encourage neighborhood groups to hold block parties and special activities and to turn on porch lights. The following are events on Des Moines’ west side, listed by the host group:

• Beaverdale Neighborhood: 6-8 p.m., “Beaver Bend”/Snookies, intersection of Beaver and Franklin avenues and 41st Street. Performance by the Isiserettes, Karate demonstrations, pony rides and ice cream.

• Chatauqua Park, Cheatom Park, King-Irving, Mondamin-Presidential, and RiverBendNeighborhoods: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Grubb YMCA, 1611 11th St. Food.

• Downtown Neighborhood, Historic East Village Neighborhood: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Long Look Gardens near City Hall. Live music. Local area businesses will also display their services and/or food. Food and drink samples.

• Jacob’s Place Apartments: 4-6 p.m. 2400 30th St., corner of 30th Street and Hickman Road.

• Meredith Neighborhood Association: 6-8 p.m. Westchester Church, north side of church, 4919 Aurora Ave. Hot dogs, sides. Fire Department equipment.

• Merle Hay Neighborhood: 6-8 p.m. Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave. Loose-meat sandwiches, hot dogs, chips, beverages and ice cream. Kids’ games, face painting, prizes and entertainment.

• North of Grand Neighbors: 6-8 p.m. Boesen the Florist/Best Wishes, 3801 Ingersoll Ave.

• Oakridge Neighborhood: Noon to 6:30 p.m. 926 Oakridge Drive. Inflatables, rock climbing wall. After 4 p.m., hot dogs, chips, beverages, face painters and basketball tournaments.

• Prospect Park Neighborhood Association: 5:30-7:30 p.m. 2329 Hickman Road. (Car wash lot next to the Freedom for Youth building.) WuShu martial arts demos, Freedom for Youth African dance demo, Capitol City Steppers. Hot dogs, lemonade and cookies.

• Royal Oaks Apartments: 4-6 p.m. 2400 Hickman Road.

• Sherman Hill: 6-8 p.m. The Mickle Center, 1620 Pleasant St.

• Village at Westchester, Westchester Square and Ashley Square Apartments: 5-7 p.m. 5413 Aurora Ave. Cookout.

• Waterbury Neighborhood: 6-8 p.m. Polk Boulevard and Ingersoll Avenue. Popsicles and water.

• Waveland Woods Neighborhood: 6:30-8 p.m. Windsor School playground (gym if it rains) 5912 University Ave. Ice cream social from Big Chill, games for kids.

• Woodland Heights Neighborhood: 5-7 p.m. Chamberlain Park, 2150 Woodland Ave. Hot dogs, refreshments, prizes and face painting.