Big Bear Valley, CA, August 2, 2010, 8:06am – August 3rd, 2010 marks the 27th anniversary of National Night Out: America’s Night Out Against Crime. This year, deputies and volunteers of the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station, as well as McGruff the Crime Dog, will be conducting extra neighborhood patrols within the Valley between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. with informational handouts and goodies. National Night Out, a year-long community building campaign, is designed to heighten crime prevention awareness; strengthen neighborhood spirit, and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. This year, 37 million Americans are expected to participate in National Night Out by turning on their outside lights and hosting front porch vigils. The Big Bear Sheriff’s Station encourages Valley residents to take this opportunity to meet their neighbors and discuss ways to improve neighborhood camaraderie, thereby reducing the possibility of criminal activity. Each year, over 800,000 children go missing in America. That’s one child every 40 seconds. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to the station located at 477 Summit Blvd. in Big Bear Lake on August 3rd between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. to receive a free fingerprint and photo identification booklet, and to get their child fingerprinted. Information about other crime prevention programs, will also be available free of charge. Join law enforcement efforts to make Big Bear Valley a safer place to live on a year-round basis.