NATCHEZ — Sirens will be blasting, lights will be flashing and a swarm of local law enforcement may be visiting your neighborhood today.

But police won’t be investigating most residents, just inviting them out of their houses to meet the local men and women in blue.

Natchez, Vidalia and Ferriday police departments will be joining law enforcement across the country for the 30th annual National Night Out.

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

“It makes the community aware of the fight against crime, and it betters the relationship between the police departments and citizens,” Natchez Police Detective Jerry Ford said.

National Night Out, Ford said, gives residents a chance to meet police officers, chiefs and local elected officials.

“If people have questions or concerns, they have police in their neighborhood to answer them,” Ford said. “It reduces crime greatly when you have a relationship between law enforcement and citizens, because people are more open with police and are not afraid to come forward when they know something about a crime.”

National Night Out also brings residents out to meet their neighbors, Ford said.

“It helps them realize that the neighbors, they need to work with one another to keep the fight against crime going,” he said.

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. The group will make a stop at Kyle Road Apartments at 3 p.m.

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

From Kyle Road, the group will head to Vidalia and drive John Dale Drive, making stops at Fourth Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, 30 Alabama St. and 307 Stampley St.

The National Night Out stops in Natchez will be the Linwood subdivision at 5:10 p.m., Village Green Apartments at 5:45, Oak Ridge Manor at 6:15, Gayosa Avenue at 6:45, Minor Street at 7:15, Woodlawn Avenue at 7:45 and West Stiers Lane at 8:15.

Ford encourages all residents to join in at the block parties at each stop, which will include food, music and activities for children.

“It’s going to be a good time,” he said.