Dozens of block parties tonight for Neighborhood Night Out

There will be dozens of block parties going on around Wichita tonight – and many of them can expect a visit by police officers.

But they’ll be pleasant visits, as officers and Wichita Fire Department firefighters mingle with residents as part of Neighborhood Night Out. Wichita police Sgt. Nikki Woodrow said 78 block parties have registered for the event.

“I think 78 is a fantastic number,” Woodrow said. “It’s really exciting” to have so many people involved.

The event is an opportunity for neighbors to get to know each other as well as the police officers who patrol their neighborhoods, Woodrow said.

Officers and firefighters “will get to as many registered parties as possible,” she said.

The department’s public information officers will also be stopping by block parties, she said.

This story was originally published August 9, 2016 at 1:02 PM with the headline "Dozens of block parties tonight for Neighborhood Night Out."