Aiming to strengthen their ties with local communities, law enforcement agencies around the country are hosting events tonight to mark National Night Out and inviting residents to join them.

The 26th annual event creates a gathering place for residents to meet each other and to discuss crime and safety concerns with police patrolling their neighborhoods.

"It helps to forge relationships that are very important for community-based policing. Hopefully when people are comfortable with us as people, they're comfortable with us as police officers," LAPD Officer Karen Rayner said. "Then they would be willing to partner with us to make their communities safer." With a focus on crime- and drug-awareness and Neighborhood Watch program, officials said the event unites residents to remain vigilant in guarding the security of their neighborhoods.