The first annual Richland County Sheriff 's Department National Night Out Kick- Off, a free event, open to all citizens, will take place Saturday, August 1, from 4 pm to 9 pm at the Village of Sandhill (in front of the Bi- Lo) in an effort to celebrate taking crime off our streets and to kick start National Night Out Against Crime, Tuesday August 4.

The National Night Out Kick Off and the Tuesday National Night Out are designed to encourage communities to interact with each other, interact with law enforcement and to send the message to the criminals that residents will not tolerate their behavior and are "Building Unity in the Community" in Richland County.

The goal is to have 100% participation from all neighborhoods in Richland County on National Night Out, and have a crime watch in every neighborhood. Neighborhoods are asked contact the Community Services Division at the Sheriff 's Department at 576-3118 to register for National Night Out, participate in the events or to start a crime watch.

Activities for the entire family are planned, including food, exhibits, live entertainment, demonstrations, and crime prevention tips and tools.

Nation Night Out is a time for neighborhoods to fellowship and to unify for a great cause, as well as a time to evaluate your neighborhood in order to determine what things can be improved to make it safer.