NATCHEZ &8212; Miss-Lou police forces cruised the streets Tuesday night visiting and promoting local Neighborhood Watch Associations.

National Night Out, an annual nation-wide celebration, is aimed at bringing community law enforcement agencies together with area neighborhoods. Tuesday approximately 30 patrol cars visited neighborhoods, stopping only to grab a bite to eat and chat with local Neighborhood Watch Organizers. Officers promoted neighborhood unity and safety throughout the community.

&8220;This is a good opportunity for us to get out and mingle with each other,&8221; Adams County Sheriff Ronny Brown said. &8220;A lot of these people don&8217;t even know each other and this is a good opportunity for us to encourage them to be the eyes and ears of the community to help us fight crime. It&8217;s really a win-win situation.&8221;

Providence Community was the first stop on the six stop promotional tour. McIntyre Street, Elgin Community, LaGrange Community, Sibley Community and B Street were also stops along the way.

&8220;This just shows you what law enforcement does for the community,&8221; ACSO Sgt. Laura Smith said. &8220;Anytime you need them they are there and it&8217;s also one neighbor looking out for another.&8221;

Retired Natchez Police Officer George Dunkley brought Neighborhood Watch &8212; a crime prevention organization &8212; to Natchez in 1985. He was sent to South West Texas State University and the University of Louisville to study and incorporate the program in the Natchez community.

&8220;This has definitely become a big thing and I&8217;m proud of it,&8221; Dunkley said.

Neighborhood Watch Organization leaders hold meetings as needed and inform neighborhood residents about topics including personal safety, gangs, fraud and cons games and child safety.

&8220;To me this shows unity, which is good, because if you don&8217;t stand together you fall,&8221; Providence resident James Profice said. &8220;When I look at this I know a great change has been made in our community and our state.&8221;