The event has been held annually since 1984 and is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch in the United States and Canada.

The event is meant to increase awareness about police programs in communities, such as drug prevention, town watch, neighborhood watch, and other anti-crime efforts.

The events are typically organized by block watches, non-for-profit organizations, companies, and police departments. These events can be as simple as backyard cookouts to full-blown festivals. Our event is a bike ride through the streets of Miller Beach and for the hardiest souls, a trip to the city's special Night Out event on 15th and Madison.

References:
"City of Golden Valley, MN: Minnesota's Night To Unite". Retrieved 3 August 2015.
Noodls (1 August 2004). "2014-08-01 - 2014 NATIONAL NIGHT OUT". Noodls. Retrieved 9 February 2015.