SALISBURY — Days ahead of the National Night Out, the Salisbury Police Department will host a community block party.

The gathering will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 4 in the Police Department parking lot on East Liberty Street.

The block party will kick off the customary National Night Out observance in Salisbury, which will be held the following week.

“National Night Out is traditionally a great opportunity for the Police Department and other city departments to engage citizens in conversations and build relationships through dialogue and getting to know one another,” said Police Chief Jerry Stokes.

“We decided to hold the community block party for a couple of reasons — first, so that participating neighbors from across the city can fellowship in a single location, and second, so that officers can interact with more residents on the National Night Out evening than in previous years,” Stokes said.

“We have worked hard toward building the community through crime prevention and reducing the fear of crime. This can only be achieved when the Police Department has a solid link to those we serve. These are opportunities that can facilitate those efforts, and we look forward to many more chances like this over time,” Stokes said.

The Police Department will provide food and music, and a community tent decoration competition will choose the best neighborhood-branded tent.

Neighborhood captains should contact Officer R. Sexton at 704-638-5333 or rsext@salisburync.gov to reserve a tent space.

More than 20 Salisbury communities will participate in National Night Out on Aug. 7. Some will offer free food, children’s games and other outdoor activities. Special guests will visit various apartment complexes. Gatherings are planned at Chestnut Hill, area churches, Fred Evans pool, Rowan Terrace and the Salvation Army.

The Salisbury City Council meeting will be held on the same date, but council and city staff members are scheduled to visit in communities depending on when the meeting adjourns.

Founded in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch, National Night Out is an annual campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and builds neighborhood camaraderie.

The nighttime event, typically held the first Tuesday in August, increases awareness of local law enforcement programs such as neighborhood watch and anti-crime initiatives.

Salisbury National Night Out participants attending evening activities are encouraged to post photographs on social media platforms using the hashtag #SalisburyNightOut.