Correction: Our original article said the event would take place tonight (Monday). The event is Tuesday night.

The Mauldin Police Department will be celebrating "National Night Out" Tuesday night with a free public event at the City Hall.

The event runs from 5 - 8 p.m.

The MPD will be offering hotdogs, cookies, drinks, music, clowns, facepainting, a children's bounce house, and more.

The purpose of National Night Out is to:

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
• Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Nationwide, last year's National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, over 37 million people participated in National Night Out 2011.