Apple Valley police, fire invite residents to Night to Unite on Aug. 5; ribbon cutting, supply drive planned

Police Chief Nick Francis told the Apple Valley City Council on July 24 that Night to Unite, the city’s annual crime‑prevention and neighborhood‑engagement event, will be Tuesday, Aug. 5, and invited council members and the public to participate. "It is, Tuesday, 08/05/2025," Francis said. He said the event will include a 4:30 p.m. ribbon-cutting and tour of two new Police Operations Building spaces, followed by neighborhood visits. Registration for neighborhood parties was open online with a deadline the next day; Francis said the city was expecting about 95–105 registered parties and that council, police, fire and department heads will visit parties around town. The department is again coordinating a school-supply drive with a local drop‑off at Falcon Ridge Middle School and will host a community chalk-art contest with age categories and awards. "There still is online registration. They're we're expecting right around a 100," Francis said while describing plans and logistics. Francis said the event is a highlight for public safety and neighborhood engagement and offered to answer questions from the council; none were raised. The department asked residents organizing parties to follow instructions about supply drop‑off locations and contest submission included in event materials.