National Night Out brought neighbors, police officers, firefighters and city officials together in neighborhoods around the area.

The event is designed to bring the community together in an effort to fight crime.

Jeanna Kindle organized an event in the Reserve neighborhood in Covington.

The gathering included a neighborhood band Island Bound, bubbles for the kids and other games.

Kindle said she learned more about police work when she participated in the citizens’ academy presented by the Maple Valley and Covington police departments and King County Sheriff’s department.

“I’ve always been interested (in police work),” Kindle said. “I took it upon myself to get the neighborhood out. I hope it will generate some involvement.”

Kindle said there has been some problems with cars being broken into around the neighborhood.

National Night Out is part of a nation-wide effort sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch.

National Night Out 2009 started 26 years ago and according to the organization’s Web site it is designed to:

• heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;

• generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;

• strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and

• send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.