About 260 people recently enjoyed an evening of entertainment, food, and camaraderie  during an event designed to improve and emphasize neighborhood safety.

Hosted by the University District Neighborhoods Association, the National Night Out observance on the UALR campus was open to all residents, employees, students, and friends of the University District. It featured information and games as well as music by the UALR pep band.

Ronald Copeland, university district director, characterized the annual event as “a big celebration” intended to encourage neighbors and the university community to get to know each other and to reinforce the safety of the neighborhood.

The Oct. 6 celebration in the University Plaza parking lot was one of numerous National Night Out observances throughout the Little Rock area. First responders and other emergency workers such as the Little Rock police and firefighters and the UALR public safety staff were honored during the UALR campus event.

To see additional photos, visit the University District Partnership’s page on Facebook.

National Night Out is a campaign through the National Association of Town Watch, a nonprofit crime prevention organization. The annual community-building campaign promotes neighborhood connections and police-community partnerships as a way to make neighborhoods safer.