The Bastrop County Sheriff’s Office is gearing up for the 27th annual National Night Out on Oct. 5.

In 2009, National Night Out involved over 36 million people in 14,625 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. National Night Out 2010 is expected to be the largest ever. Once again this year, Target is a national corporate sponsor.

National Night Out is a community-building campaign designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

There will be several National Night Out block parties throughout Bastrop County celebrating National Night Out. In 2009, Bastrop County ranked ninth in the nation in its category.

“With your help, we can have another successful year,” said Deputy Wayne Wood, BCSO crime prevention officer.

There is no cost to register your National Night Out block party. If you are interested in having a block party in your neighborhood, contact Wood at (512) 549-5069.