National Night Out returns Aug. 4 with dozens of neighborhood events planned throughout Henrico

Henrico residents are invited to step outside, meet their neighbors and connect with local law enforcement Tuesday evening as National Night Out returns with dozens of community gatherings planned throughout the county.

The 43rd annual National Night Out will be held Tuesday, Aug. 4, as neighborhoods in Henrico join more than 38 million people in communities nationwide for the annual crime prevention and community-building event.

Sponsored locally by the Henrico County Division of Police, National Night Out is designed to strengthen partnerships between police officers and the communities they serve, while encouraging neighbors to get to know one another and work together to make their neighborhoods safer.

This year's celebration will feature more than 50 registered events throughout Henrico, including block parties, cookouts, ice cream socials, pool parties and resident appreciation gatherings.

Henrico Police Chief Eric D. English, members of the department's executive staff, patrol officers, community officers and other county representatives are expected to visit as many neighborhood events as possible during the evening.

Participating neighborhoods span every area of the county, with events planned in communities including Wyndham, Twin Hickory, Innsbrook, Glen Allen, Varina, Fairfield and Tuckahoe, as well as at apartment communities, churches and civic associations. (Click here to view a complete list.)

In addition to neighborhood gatherings, the Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, 1440 North Laburnum Avenue, will host a countywide National Night Out event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The free event, presented in partnership with Dominion Energy, will feature inflatables, train rides, gym sports, line dancing, community vendors and free food while supplies last.

National Night Out began in 1984 and has grown into one of the country's largest community policing initiatives.