East Los Angeles residents will participate tonight in the area's first National Night Out event, a crime and drug prevention program sponsored by the National Assn. of Town Watch.
Community leaders have urged residents to turn on their porch lights and join a rally and candlelight vigil at a nearby community service center.
Law enforcement agencies, crime prevention organizations and neighborhood watch groups will provide information about fighting crime and strengthening police and community relations.
"It's about time that the neighbors and the agencies get together and join hands to clean up the community," said Elena Valencia, director of the East/Northeast Branch of the Volunteer Center of Los Angeles, which organized the event.
Valencia said the activities will kick off a year-round program to combat crime and drugs and encourage neighborhood involvement.
The rally will begin at 6 p.m. at 133 N. Sunol Avenue.
