The city joined more than 10,000 other communities throughout the county and country in celebrating National Night Out, an event designed to increase awareness of crime and drug prevention and to send a message to criminals: Neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. It's also designed as a celebration of unity between police and community groups.

Stacey Bolin, the Neighborhood Watch coordinator for the Annapolis Police Department, said she was thrilled with the turnout of about 600, one of the biggest since the city began the celebration 14 years ago.

Among those in attendance were officers from the city police and fire departments, Department of General Services Police and Maryland State Police, as well as several anti-crime groups. There were games for the kids, face painting and free sno-cones, which went like crazy on the warm - but fortunately not rainy - evening.

"It's a nice night. Finally," Mrs. Bolin said, noting that most of the past events have been under sweltering conditions.

Collaboration was the theme of the day, as officials stressed the need for different police agencies to work together in Annapolis and praised the efforts in the city.

Congressman John Sarbanes, D-Baltimore, said that the cooperative effort makes the city safer.

"Everyone knows if you don't have the kind of collaboration, you don't have the kind of safe community we want," he said.

Lt. Brian Della, a city Police Department spokesman, said: "We celebrate this on an annual basis, but of course, the cooperation has to go on day-in and day-out."

Chief Michael A. Pristoop, who was confirmed as the city's permanent chief last week after serving as interim for several months, said the attendance of residents was important.

"Your presence here is so much more than symbolic. Your presence here is so important, and it's noticed ... " he said. "It's a great city, and we'll make it even better with everyone's cooperation."

Participation, he said, is "action, in many ways. We're getting the message out."

Annapolis resident Fred Smith said he came out to see what's new with law enforcement. "It gives people a chance to see what's going on," he said.

He also noted that many children were in attendance, including several groups from Boys and Girls clubs.

"That could be a long-term event. That many kids that aren't going to be in the police blotter," he said, noting that the more exposure young people have to police in a positive way, the better.

Mrs. Bolin agreed.

"Reach to the kids. You hear it over and over, the kids are the future," she said.

The event also included announcing the winners of the McGruff and Me drawing contest, which was held among fifth-grade students in Annapolis elementary schools.

And there was an appearance by McGruff and his nephew, Scruff.

Vic Pascoe, president of the Eastport Civic Association, said Night Out brought different communities together.

"I think it's important for people in the community to get out and support the police," he said.

People in his Eastport community seem pleased with positive developments in policing, he said, but that needs to continue.

He said he doesn't know if the event will affect crime immediately, but it might down the road because people got information about anti-crime efforts and Neighborhood Watch.

Several honors were bestowed during the event.

Officer David Stokes was given a Medal of Valor and a Governor's Citation for his work during an operation last November. He was part of a team that raided an apartment in Eastport and he was shot during the operation.

Frank DeLuca, a Neighborhood Watch block captain in the Kingsport community, was credited with bringing together several communities in various events and uniting Neighborhood Watch groups in the area.

Mr. DeLuca, who moved to Annapolis from Virginia, said the feeling was different there.

"(There), you're a number. But you come to a small community, and you can be somebody. You can make a difference," he said.