The evening of Tuesday, Aug. 6, will see the annual “National Night Out Against Crime” return to the Arlington, Marysville and Tulalip communities.

Residents of neighborhoods throughout Arlington are being asked to lock their doors, turn on their outside lights and spend the evening outdoors with their neighbors from 5-8 p.m. on Aug. 6. Many Arlington neighborhoods will be hosting a variety of special events, such as block parties, cookouts, ice cream socials, potlucks and games. For further information on how to register for your own Arlington block party, contact Volunteer Coordinator Maxine Jenft 360-403-4673.

The Marysville and Tulalip Tribal police departments, the Marysville Fire District and a number of other crime prevention officials are inviting area families to participate in their own “National Night Out Against Crime” from 6-8:30 p.m. on Aug. 6 at Comeford Park, located at 514 Delta Ave. in Marysville. This free event will feature a variety of information booths hosted by police, fire, and other partner agencies and organizations hosting booths or displays, to include the Tulalip Tribal Police, the Washington State Patrol, the state Department of Corrections, Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County and the Providence Intervention Center for Assault and Abuse.

Officers and departmental staff will share information about the K-9 unit, neighborhood watch program, Marysville Volunteer Program crime prevention efforts and more, with custody officers fingerprinting kids for child safety kits. Fire district staff will pass out hats, badges and safety literature, while sharing additional information about various fire prevention and personal safety programs.

“Public safety personnel have put together a great ‘Night Out’ this year, that will be fun and educational for the whole family,” Marysville Police Chief Rick Smith said. “Citizens and local community service organizations are important partners with police in making our community a safer place. The ‘National Night Out’ is our way of sharing the many benefits of crime prevention and personal safety programs available, that extend well beyond one night.”

According to Smith, the focus this year is on young people, and on helping them make good choices to stay out of trouble. Participants including the YMCA of Marysville and the Marysville Skate Inn will be on hand to highlight programs and activities that create friendships, and help raise morale and self-esteem in youth.

To further appeal to young people, this year’s event will feature vehicles sporting an array of chrome and lights, not only from Marysville and Tulalip Tribal law enforcement, but also a K-9 unit, an armored personnel vehicle, a fire truck and an aid unit.

New this year, Marysville’s Big Sticky Bar-B-Que will be cooking and serving up their barbecue at a discounted price. In addition, hot dogs and refreshments will be free and served by the Marysville Kiwanis Club, thanks to donations from Costco, Target and Bartell Drugs. The Marysville Community Food Bank’s shelves are unseasonably low on food, so canned food items and other donations are welcome.

For more about the Marysville and Tulalip “National Night Out Against Crime,” call Margaret Vanderwalker in the Marysville Police Chief’s office at 360-363-8308, email her at mvanderwalker@marysvillewa.gov, or visit the city of Marysville’s website at http://marysvillewa.gov.