By Lookout Staff

July 28, 2023 -- More than 1,000 potential "superheroes" are expected to gather on the City Hall lawn Tuesday evening to celebrate National Night Out, an annual event promoting police-community relations.

The theme of this year's event -- which takes place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. -- is “Everyone Can Be a Superhero.”

"We want to celebrate the contributions of every member of our community in making Santa Monica safe!" police officials said.

National Night Out is a community-building campaign that "promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie, aimed at making our neighborhoods safer and more caring places to live," officials said.

At the annual event residents can meet their local police officers, see their horses, K9, motors, police personnel, and enjoy family-friendly activities, organizers said.

Launched in 1984, National Night Out is attended my millions of residents in every state, U.S. Territory and military base around the world.

Free rides will be available on all Big Blue Bus routes that serve Downtown Santa Monica, between 4:30 and 9:30 p.m. "Riders can simply mention they are heading to National Night Out," organizers said.

There will also be free parking in the Civic Center Parking Structure next to City Hall.

Some of this year’s sponsors include the Santa Monica Police Officers Association, 7-Eleven, LaCroix, Boston Properties, Santa Monica Travel & Tourism, Target, Starbucks, Lucky Duck, Friends of Sunset Park, and Miracle Mile Advisors.

For more information about National Night Out, please follow the Santa Monica Police Department on Twitter, Facebook, Threads, and Instagram @SantaMonicaPD.