NATCHEZ &045; Lock your doors, turn on the outside lights and spend the evening outside Tuesday for National Night Out.

This annual, nationwide event is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and locally co-sponsored by the Natchez Police Department.

Although National Night Out was scheduled for Aug. 5, because of the primaries, it was rescheduled in Natchez for Tuesday.

Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins said people should take this opportunity to meet neighbors and local officials through cookouts, block parties or just sitting on the porch talking.

Time spent out Tuesday night will &uot;cause neighborhood people to get to know one another and watch out for one another,&uot; Mullins said.

Through this &uot;night out,&uot; neighborhoods can form watch groups as well as meeting people and having a good time.

Mullins said this is a way for neighborhoods to &uot;make a statement that crime will not be tolerated in their neighborhood.&uot;

The event is scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Police officers, Mr. McGruff, Crash Test Dummies Vince and Larry and guests from the district attorney’s office and the court system will ride around Natchez, making stops in neighborhoods to greet neighborhood groups.

Children in the neighborhoods will receive items such as police whistles, mini basketballs, pencils, tri-colored glow necklaces and balloons from the Natchez Police Department.

If neighbors have decided to get together for the event and want these special guests to make a visit, contact Officer Charles Woods at 445-0194 or 445-5565.