ARLINGTON – Arlington neighbors locked their doors and got outdoors for National Night Out Tuesday to send a message to criminals that they stand with police in efforts to prevent and fight crime.

“National Night Out is a chance for me to meet my neighbors in a relaxed environment,” said Annette Patterson, event coordinator and Crime Watch organizer for the Twin Rivers neighborhood that met at Haller Park.“I get to find out what’s going on in the neighborhood, and hear what the concerns are.”

Dozens of city officials, including police and firefighters, joined residents at neighborhood events around the city to show their appreciation for working together.

Haller Park was one of seven neighborhoods around Arlington that also included Crown Ridge, Gleaneagle, Kona Crest, Country Manor, Airway Park and Magnolia Meadows. City officials and staff remained at fixed locations this year instead traveling from one block party to the next, while police and firefighters made the rounds.

Now in its 34th year, National Night Out is a community-building event that promotes police-community partnerships to make neighborhoods safer places to live.

About 200 neighbors turned out at Haller Park for a night of live music, belly dancing and barbecue, Tai Kwon Do self-defense demonstrations, bean bag toss games and more.

Amanda Southcott lives in the Armstrong neighborhood and works at the downtown Dollar Tree, one of Night Out’s main sponsors. She came to help out at the event because she believes in the goals that the event seeks to achieve.

“You need to know how to keep an eye on your neighborhood, while neighbors and workers need to be vigilant and work together to help keep an eye out for suspicious activity,” she said.

The event drew Arlington resident John Porter and his family to the event by accident, since he just brought his children to play at the Haller Park playground.

“When I saw the live music, burgers on the grill and police, I went to check it out,” he said. Then he saw the Night Out banner. “It turned out to be a much funner night than we planned, and I met some great people.”

At an information picnic table, a variety of flyers for the city Crime Prevention League, Neighborhood Watch, Arlington Drug Awareness Coalition, personal safety and vehicle prowl prevention tips were available, as was 911 and 211 information.