Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia today joined community and law enforcement partners in celebrating National Night Out, with U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr. attending the District of Columbia’s kick-off event in Northeast Washington.
Community organizers, neighbors, and law enforcement turned out for the event at Lincoln Park and at other locations throughout the city. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) organized the events in each of the District of Columbia’s seven police districts. Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite, Jr., who leads the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, was among numerous law enforcement and government officials who joined U.S. Attorney Graves in commemorating the night in the District of Columbia.
“Our mission in law enforcement is to serve the community, and the best way to do that is by working together with people at the neighborhood level across the District of Columbia,” said U.S. Attorney Graves. “Tonight is a special evening to recognize the importance of these ties and to demonstrate that all of us are determined to make our city a safer place.”
“Keeping communities safe is a top priority for the Department of Justice,” said Assistant Attorney General Polite. “Law enforcement is most effective when it has the trust of the communities that we serve. Events like National Night Out lead to meaningful and positive engagement between law enforcement and the community, and strengthens those bonds.”
Across the nation, senior Justice Department officials and U.S. Attorneys are taking part in a Department-wide effort to bring attention to events that build stronger community-police relations. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland attended events in Baltimore, while Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco attended National Night Out events in Charleston, S.C.
Established in 1984 from a Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance grant, the goal of National Night Out is to build relationships with and between communities and law enforcement. National Night Out promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, better places to live. In most areas of the country, the program occurs annually on the first Tuesday of August.