"National Night Out" is an annual event used to help decrease poverty and improve relations between police and communities.

In Erie, the event is organized by the United Way of Erie County.

This year, there were 15 events across the area that hoped to improve community relations.

"I am here to enjoy my community, my neighbors," says Candace Battles, an organizer with United Way Erie. "We're here to have a good safe community event, for our neighbors to get to meet each other."

Some hope today will help decrease crime rates in the area.

"National Night Out helps celebrate the prevention of crime in our neighborhoods," says Karen Pierce, Executive Director of Erie Public Library, who was there promoting what the library can do for the community. "If everybody gets out and gets to know their neighbors and becomes a community, then we can stop crime."

There were also events held at Belle Valley Fire Department to keep families and neighbors safe in case of a fire.