The Simi Valley Police Department invites the residents and businesses of Simi Valley to participate in the 25th annual "National Night Out Against Crime" scheduled from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sat., Aug. 2 throughout the city.

Neighbors are encouraged to get out and meet each other in an effort to open new lines of communication and establish neighborhood partnerships to help deter criminal activity. Participants will be leaving their front porch lights on and gathering in front yards with their neighbors.

Activities will also include block parties, cookouts, neighborhood flashlight walks and neighborhood meetings.

The annual commuity event is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch to help heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for local crime prevention programs, and strength neighborhood spirit and policecommunity partnerships.

Simi Valley residents interested in participating in National Night Out are encouraged to call Vicki Kaplan, Simi Valley Police Department crime prevention specialist, at (805) 5836908 to register their neighborhood for the event.