Neighbors came out in droves across Vicksburg and Warren County Tuesday to support the 27th annual National Night Out Against Crime.

This year, events were held in family-friendly locations throughout the city and county to encourage neighbors to meet each other and discuss crime prevention, Vicksburg police said.

At Kroger on Pemberton Square Boulevard, Johnny Lewis, 50, of Fisher Ferry Road, said while his neighborhood is a quiet place where residents already look out for each other, some want to start a more formal Neighborhood Watch organization.

He said National Night Out is “going to make people wake up and see what’s going on.”

At the Kings Community Empowerment Center on R.L. Chase Circle, Angela Lyons, who attends Triumphant Baptist Church, said she believes bringing neighbors together will cut down on the problems in the area.

For entertainment, spectators from as far as Jackson stopped by the center to watch Vicksburg police and firefighters in a game of basketball.

“Our message has been consistent throughout as we want our citizens to work toward making Vicksburg and Warren County a safer place,” said Mayor Paul Winfield, praising the level of participation despite high temperatures. “This means the residents of our city of all backgrounds consider safety a priority in our city.”

Simultaneously, church praise teams performed, while neighbors talked.

After enduring 100-degree weather in a 20-foot-by-4-foot pool outside the Culkin Volunteer Fire Station for the past week promoting the campaign, retired Vicksburg police officer Doug Arp rode around the county and city sharing information on the importance of knowing neighbors and law enforcement officers.

“Most of the time you meet a policeman, you’re getting a ticket. That’s not a time for a social interaction,” said Arp. “That’s what it (National Night Out) is about — meeting people.”