A number of Centreville neighborhoods will join thousands across the nation on Tuesday, August 7 to celebrate the annual National Night Out. 

Events start around 5 p.m. and go through 10 p.m. Officers from the Fairfax County Police Department, deputies from the Sheriff's Office and Fairfax County firefighters will visit neighborhoods around the area to help spread the message about crime prevention. 

Organizers estimate that last year, about 37 million people participated in National Night Out, an annual event to increase neighborhood support for the police, anticrime programs and drug prevention awareness. 

Neighbors in these Centreville and Chantilly communities have signed up to host National Night Out events:

• Meadows of Chantilly, ice cream social
• Elms at Centreville, cookout
• Stonecrest, cookout
• Newgate, cookout
• Fair Lakes Crossing, ice cream social
• Sully Station II, ice cream social
• Windingbrook, pool party

For more information on National Night Out, or how to get involved, visit the Fairfax County Police Department website. Click here see photos from the 2011 National Night Out in Centreville.

Those who cannot join a party are also welcome to join in the festivities by leaving on an outdoor light, to show support for law enforcement.