COLUMBIA (WACH) -- The city of Columbia is getting a head start on the annual National Night Out event.
City leaders hosted the kickoff party at the Columbia Convention Center Monday.
National night out is all about making communities safer through getting to know your neighbors and law enforcement.
"The community comes together to send a message to the criminal element, that they are not going to put up with any criminal acts," says Interim Police Chief Carl Burke.
Mayor Steve Benjamin was the keynote speaker at Monday's kickoff. National night out takes place Tuesday.
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