With about 8,000 people estimated to have turned out for 2019 National Night Out events in Suffolk, city spokeswoman and event chairwoman Diana Klink called it the city’s biggest one yet.

During a Community Appreciation Ceremony Tuesday in the City Council chamber at City Hall, those who hosted National Night Out events Aug. 6 were honored and received certificates for their participation. In lieu of awards this year, participants were invited to stay after the ceremony for dinner at City Hall.

At the ceremony, Suffolk Crime Line president and NNO 2019 committee member Cathy Richards introduced the video of this year’s event, eliciting smiles from those in attendance as scenes from various communities were shown.

“Our tradition of pulling out all the stops continues,” Klink said. “This was the largest celebration to date.”

Klink said the total at the National Night Out at Obici and Health Fair at King’s Fork High School was estimated at more than 5,000 people. More than 150 communities, civic leagues, churches and businesses partnered to hold cookouts, block parties and other types of events.

The city’s National Night Out event has placed first in the country in its population category on five occasions — 2008, 2009, 2014, 2016 and 2018 — and it has finished among the top five events for 13 years in a row.

Capt. Jesse Epperson of the Suffolk Police Department praised the community support for National Night Out.

“At the police department, we understand that we cannot do our jobs effectively without the support of the community that we serve,” Epperson said. “We also understand that National Night Out is only the tip of the iceberg as it relates to community partnerships. We have to strive to work and build these partnerships all year long, not just on National Night Out.”

Klink noted that planning for next year’s event, which will take place Aug. 4, 2020, has already begun, and she called for people to fill out an evaluation form for this year’s event.

“We appreciate you joining us,” Klink said, “and for being a part of what makes this city so special.”