Here’s a riddle for you: What date is always the hottest of the summer in Suffolk?

Answer: The date on which National Night Out falls.

Just as a heads-up, that’s Aug. 4 this year. And it’s not hot only because our little slice of the globe always seems to be on fire that evening. There are also grills firing up across the city and the fire in the souls of local residents who want to help their community become a safer place to live.

The national event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch is big stuff here locally, where citizens of all ages, races and neighborhoods come together with city officials to show solidarity against crime.

A neighborhood criminals perceive as active and engaged is less likely to become a target for crime, and that’s the idea behind National Night Out. Folks are encouraged to lock their doors, turn on their porch lights and get to know their neighbors and the law enforcement officers who serve their area, who visit each celebration.

The event takes a lot of different forms in Suffolk, from a few neighbors sitting around in a front yard eating ice cream to large gatherings combining several communities and welcoming thousands of visitors with lots of activities.

So get ready for a good time on Aug. 4, but remember the primary purpose is to help prevent crime in your community.

To find the National Night Out party nearest you is, visit www.suffolknno.com.