National Night Out will be Aug. 5 this year, and 13 Federal Way neighborhoods and/or apartment/condo complexes are already signed up, according to Federal Way Police Department Chief Andy Hwang.

“The Federal Way Police Department has been participating in National Night Out since its inception as a department,” said Hwang during the Federal Way City Council’s meeting on Tuesday. “So this will be our 18th year participating in the National Night Out. We do partner with South King Fire and St. Francis Hospital, and we’ll be going out to various neighborhoods and apartment complexes throughout that evening.”

National Night Out is a community-based program, “designed to strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships,” Hwang said.

“[It is also designed] to send a strong message to criminals that the neighborhoods are organized and taking a strong stand against crime,” the police chief added.

Hwang said about 20-25 communities typically participate in Federal Way, which equates to about 750-900 residents each year taking part. He noted that registration for the communities typically tends to increase during July, a pattern he expects will hold true this year.

Mayor Jim Ferrell said the Council will be available to participate at this year’s National Night Out.

“We changed the date of our City Council meeting to accommodate this, so our Council and community can be fully involved,” Ferrell said.

Ferrell also thanked resident Betty Taylor for her leadership on National Night Out. Taylor is a tireless community advocate and a regular at Council meetings who has worked in the last few years to ensure the city fully integrated and recognized National Night Out.

Those interested in participating can visit the city’s webpage at www.cityoffederalway.com, or can call Federal Way’s crime analyst/prevention specialist Lindsey Tiroux at 253-835-6707.