The Columbia Police Department tonight is sponsoring the 24th annual "National Night Out," a neighborhood program aimed at meeting neighbors and police officers.

Residents are encouraged to spend some time outdoors tonight between 6 and 10 p.m. to get to know their neighbors and communities.

"National Night Out" is an effective, inexpensive and enjoyable program to promote neighborhood spirit and police-community relations in an effort to reduce crime, the Columbia Police Department said in a news release.

Contact the police department’s Community Services Unit at 874-7405 with questions or to schedule an event. The program is also sponsored by the Columbia Neighborhood Watch program and National Town Watch.

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