NATCHEZ — A swarm of local law enforcement officials will hit the streets Tuesday to visit with area residents and promote neighborhood unity.

Natchez, Vidalia and Ferriday police departments, as well as Concordia Parish and Jefferson County sheriff’s offices, will be joining law enforcement across the country for the 31st annual National Night Out.

The Adams County Sheriff’s Office hosts its event during an alternate date in October that some Southern states use to avoid summer heat.

National Night Out began in 1984 as an effort to promote involvement in crime prevention activities and police-community partnership Neighborhood Watch programs.

“The whole idea here is to make the community aware of the fight against crime in their neighborhoods,” Natchez Police Department Detective Jerry Ford said. “But we’re also trying to establish better relationships between the citizens and the police departments involved.”

The event is a great chance, Ford said, for Miss-Lou residents to meet with law enforcement officers and local elected officials, who will also be tagging along on the trip.

“At these stops, people can take the time to talk with their elected representatives and officials about things that might be a problem with their street or something that might need repair,” Ford said. “This is the time to meet and greet with people and bring concerns to their attention.”

But Ford said it also helps promote community involvement within the neighborhoods in which they stop.

“This is a chance for the residents to get out and unite with one another to find out who all their neighbors are,” Ford said. “We want everyone to come together to try and make sure we have the best neighborhoods we can.”

The National Night Out convoy will leave from the Natchez Police Department at approximately 2:30 p.m. and head to the Ferriday Police Department.

Law enforcement will spend approximately 20 to 30 minutes at each stop.

From the Ferriday stops, the group will head to Vidalia and go through the John Dale Drive area, before making four other stops in Vidalia.

The National Night Out stops in Natchez will include Linwood subdivision, Oak Ridge Manor, Gayosa Avenue, Minor Street Woodlawn Avenue and West Stiers Lane.

Ford said he encourages all residents to participate at the get-togethers, some of which will include food, music and activities for children.

“It’s going to be fun for everybody,” Ford said.