Downtown Excelsior Springs will turn into a community block party when neighbors, first responders and local leaders gather for Night Out Against Crime. The event is scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 27 at the Hall of Waters.Organized by the Neighborhood Engagement Team, the evening is designed to give families a chance to connect with police officers, firefighters and public works staff in a relaxed setting. Neighborhood Specialist Laura Mize noted the idea grew out of scheduling challenges with the national event.“The Police Department was planning the National Night Out events in the past few years and they are so busy that it was tough,” explained Mize. “Then the date became a problem. National Night Out (NNO) is the second Tuesday evening in August, which is usually very hot. The alternative date the NNO organization allowed was our homecoming night. The Neighborhood Engagement Team decided to take on the burden of planning the event...