Bustleon/Somerton Town Watch members received a Service Appreciation Award at Monday’s National Night Out kick-off event. Photo/Bill Achuff

For years, city officials have praised many of Northeast Philadelphia’s town watch groups. In making the rounds at neighborhood meetings, district attorneys, police commissioners and other city staffers have lauded patrol groups for their dedication, weekend patrols and creative ideas.

So what better place to kick off National Night Out than in the Northeast?

See more photos below from photographers Bill Achuff and Michelle Alton’s shoot at the National Night Out kick-off celebration.

City officials, community organizations and vendors from around Philadelphia gathered Monday night at the Cottman and Bustleton Target to kick off the safety event, which was held Tuesday in neighborhoods around the country.

Though many neighborhoods held their own events Tuesday, like Mayfair’s flashlight march, most had a presence at Monday’s kick-off celebration, including the Fox Chase Town Watch, which decided to join the larger gathering and forgo its usual event at Fox Chase Elementary.