Police in Whittier and Montebello are preparing to host their annual “National Night Out” events next month.

National Night Out, a national campaign now in it’s 29th year, brings community members and local police officials together in annual meetings to raise crime awareness, foster crime prevention, strengthen neighborhood spirit and send a message that communities are organized against crime and fighting back, according to Whittier police Officer Brad White.

Citizens are also asked to lock their doors, leave their porch lights on and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police. More than 35 million Americans are expected to take part in this year’s National Night Out on Aug. 7, organizers said.

The Whittier Police Department’s event will take place from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Michigan Park, 8228 Michigan Avenue, officials said.

It will include free food and drinks, demonstrations by K-9 and tactical entry teams, a bounce house for kids, raffles, giveaways, ride-a-longs, a rock wall, music and more, White said. Los Angeles County Fire Department equipment is also scheduled to be on display.

In Montebello, the public is invited to join officers from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Montebello Police Department, 1600 West Beverly Blvd., officials said.

Station tours, child fingerprinting, K-9 demonstrations and a display of Montebello Fire Department apparatus are scheduled for the gathering, police said.

For more information on the Whittier National Night Out event, contact Officer Brad White at 562-567-9208.

For more information on Montebello’s National Night Out, contact Montebello police at 323-887-1313.