Maple Grove Hosts National Night Out Community Kick Off Event Tuesday

On Tuesday, Aug. 6, Maple Grove along with thousands of communities nationwide will be celebrating National Night Out. 

Maple Grove police will sponsor a free barbecue lunch and emergency equipment show to kick off National Night Out from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6 at the Maple Grove Community Center. Dozens of vendors will be present with safety information and activities for children and adults. Dunk an officer in a dunk tank – with all proceeds going to the Special Olympics of Minnesota. 

Neighbors throughout Maple Grove are anticipated to have block parties to gather and meet one another as National Night Out continues Tuesday evening. 

As part of National Night Out, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office will also distribute free gun locks and provide information about responsible gun ownership during National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 6. 

The lock is a cable-style device, similar to a bike lock and its design helps to prevent unauthorized access to a firearm, particularly by young children.

Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office deputies and personnel will be handing out the gun locks while supplies last at locations that include:

Plymouth Police & Fire Night to Unite Open House, 14800 34th Ave. N., Plymouth, 2:30 p.m.- 5 p.m.

Woman’s Club of Minneapolis, 410 Oak Grove, Minneapolis, 6 p.m.- 9 p.m.

National Night Out Gathering, along West River Parkway between Federal Reserve Building & Mississippi River, Minneapolis, 6 p.m-8 p.m.

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office employees and officials will be handing out the gun locks while supplies last at locations that include:

Sanctuary CDC/Pillsbury United Communities, 3700 Block between Emerson and Fremont in North Minneapolis, 5:30 p.m.- 8 p.m.

Phillips West Neighborhood 17th Annual 27th Street Block Party, between Columbus and Portland Avenues, South Minneapolis, 5:30 p.m.- 8 p.m. 

Night to Unite hosted by Edina Police, Rosland Park, 4300 W. 66th Street, Edina, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Little Earth of United Tribes, 2495 18th Ave. S., Minneapolis, 5:30 p.m.- 8 p.m.

Nationally, more than 15,000 communities participate each year, according to National Association of Town Watch. National Night Out, a yearlong community building campaign, is designed to:

• Heighten crime prevention awareness.

• Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs.

• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.

• Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

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