Warwick has celebrated National Night Out (NNO), for more than 15 years and is the first Rhode Island city to do so. The tradition continues on Tuesday, Aug. 4.

The event was created by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) as a means to combat neighborhood crime and foster a relationship between the police department and wider community. Cities such as Providence and Newport have since joined in as well and as Councilwoman Donna Travis says, “scooped up the rock climbing wall” that Warwick has used in past years.

But the city still plans to bring back many popular activities, including fireworks that will be set off once the sun goes down, around 9:30. Tuesday, Aug. 4 marks the country’s 32nd annual NNO, and Warwick’s celebrations start at 5 p.m. at Oakland Beach Commons by the Seawall area. In past years, the national festivities have stretched as far as Naval Air Station in Sigonella, Italy, and have been advertised high on NYC buildings, reaching more than 36 million people.

The night is “for the community to work with the police department,” says Travis. “So many times, kids are afraid of the police when they shouldn’t be. They should be someone to turn to.”

The Warwick Police Department and the Youth Prevention Program use the night to educate people on ways to stay safe. Travis says that previous years have brought noticeable improvement.

“Young kids are paying attention,” she said. The jaws-of-life will be back this year, a Warwick Firefighters demonstration of the equipment used to extricate victims of a motor vehicle crash.

The car used for the demonstration also serves to show the kinds of damage that reckless driving can cause.

“I remember that car at Oakland beach,” a kid told Travis months after last year’s NNO. The councilwoman said that it’s great to know that the function is serving as an “eye-opener” for the community.

Teaching safety to even younger audiences will be Officer Friendly and McGruff the Dog. Those going on Tuesday can also expect face-painting and karate, as well as K-9 demonstrations and Native American drummers. There will be booths for local organizations. The night gives people the chance to learn more about what’s going on in Warwick, like the Warwick Boys & Girls Club and the Pink Heels. Anyone still interested in being involved and having a booth or demonstration should contact Travis at 286-8595.

Funds for the event, including the free food, are coming from the sponsorship of the National Night Out Committee, the Warwick Police Department, and Target. The committee has also reached out to local businesses for help, and money from tourism is paying for fireworks. The Fire Department will also have its smoke house set up.

The city has won two awards in past years for Project 365, an extension of NNO that encourages cities to choose a specific place within their community that needs improving and fix it up, such as a run down park, basketball court, or other problem area. Cities choosing to participate have a year between each consecutive Night Out to complete their project. Travis says the city plans to start early this year and document all progress.