ADA, OK -- Residents and several different law enforcement agencies came together in Ada Tuesday night for the 7th Annual National Night Out. Designed to not only promote community awareness against crime, but to also recognize those men and women who serve and protect.

"This is our night that we show everybody that we're going to take back the streets and basically thank the law enforcement and let everybody know that this is something important to have community camaraderie," said National Night Out Coordinator, Matt Folsom.

Hundred of people turned out in Ada Tuesday night in support of the 27th Annual National night out sponsored by the Chickasaw Nation, the City of Ada and East Central University, to help promote local anti-crime programs, and to honor members of local law enforcement members for the work they do to keep the community safe.

"They may not be rock stars they may not be athletes but they do jobs that are far more important so we should at least recognize them once a year," Folsom said.

Pontotoc County Sheriff John Chrisitian says the event allows his and other agencies to educate people on not only what they do, but how they can get involved to make the community a better place.

"It gives us a little closer involvement with people in the community and helps promote a better understand for the community to help us in what we're doing," said Christian.

Mother Penny McGuffin says the event has given her the opportunity to learn more about drug prevention, and how she and others can pass the information on to others in the community.

"We know the people that they're hanging around with we don't know what they're about and this literature will help us see what signs and how our children are acting these days and we can stop it before it gets started," McGuffin said.

Keel says while many take advantage of the events fun and games, he hopes it also allows the community to see the men and women who make a difference everyday.

"I think it makes a difference I think it causes the community to be more aware of what they do and how valuable they are to us," Keel said.