CLEMSON — Catherine Smith Plaza and Creekwood Village Apartments will serve as the sites for two National Night Out programs to take place starting tonight.

Clemson police and city officials will gather at the Catherine Smith Plaza from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. tonight, marking the city’s sixth consecutive observance. The purpose of National Night Out is to provide activities to the local community designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

National Night Out events typically include block parties, cookouts, visits from local police and sheriff departments, parades and exhibits, flashlight walks, contests and youth programs. Jimmy Maw, community specialist for the Clemson Police Department, said a locksmith and security official would be on hand tonight to discuss alarm systems and tips for locking doors. Firefighters from the Clemson University Fire Department will also be on hand.

Maw said the turnout has increased each year the city has participated in the event.

“We’re trying to educate the communities about crime and let them tell us what problems they have,” Maw said, adding that more than 100 braved the searing heat to attend last year. “We hope the community will attend and show they want to fight crime and take care of their communities.”

While the City of Clemson will observe National Night Out tonight, Maw said Clemson police would also work with Creekwood Village Apartments in its observance of NNO from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The Clemson Police Department, Clemson University Fire Department, Pickens County Sheriff’s Office, the Pickens County Rape Crisis Center and the Better Business Bureau are among the agencies that have been invited to take part. Face painting, K-9 units and hamburger and hot dog cookouts are among the activities featured.

“We want to send a message to criminals that we don’t want them around and will put up a stand against them,” said Melissa Towe, resident services coordinator for Creekwood Village Apartments.

Towe said this marks the 10th year that the apartment complex has taken part in National Night Out.