The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina participated in National Night Out events on Tuesday, joining law enforcement agencies and community members across several cities in the state.
Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar commented on the significance of the event, stating, “National Night Out is about more than public safety – it’s about community. It was a privilege to join our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners as we visited neighborhoods across Raleigh, connected with residents, heard their feedback, and strengthened our ties with the community. We were particularly excited to welcome Associate Deputy Attorney General Aakash Singh—an alumni from our office— who joined us at Raleigh-area events and met with many of our law enforcement partners from across Eastern North Carolina.”
Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce also spoke about the importance of engagement between police and residents: “For me, community engagement isn’t just part of the job—it’s a calling. Events like this are about more than showing up; they’re about bridging gaps and building real relationships. That’s why we started Cops on the Block—to be more than uniforms, more than badges. To be neighbors. I always say, National Night Out is our Super Bowl—it’s our moment to connect, to be present, and to celebrate what brings us together.”
National Night Out is an annual campaign that aims to foster partnerships between law enforcement officers and communities in order to improve neighborhood safety. The event takes place each year on the first Tuesday of August in most areas throughout the United States.
The initiative began in 1984 with support from the Bureau of Justice Assistance under the U.S. Department of Justice and is managed by the National Association of Town Watch.
Local police departments organize these events alongside trained volunteers. Activities often include block parties, cookouts, parades, youth programs, safety demonstrations, seminars, and visits from emergency personnel as ways for neighbors and police officers to interact positively.
The campaign emphasizes unity among residents as a way to enhance collective security within neighborhoods.
