Tropical Storm Harvey threw a wrench of sorts into the area’s annual National Night Out celebrations with some cities forced to cancel their events and one city to make theirs larger to accommodate more people.

National Night Out, which is celebrated on the first Tuesday in October in Texas, brings neighborhoods together with police in a festival-like atmosphere and typically has exhibits, tours of emergency vehicles, and safety demonstrations as well as food, drinks and family fun.

Both Nederland and Port Neches police departments were forced to opt out this year and Port Arthur is mulling ways to make the event happen later in the month of October.

“There are a lot of people that support National Night Out that were affected by the flooding, some were displaced or were otherwise impacted,” Nederland Police Chief Darrell Bush said. “In addition, we rely heavily on contributions and participation from local businesses, some of which received damage or are helping other people in need. We didn’t want to impose on them.”

Port Neches Police Chief Paul Lemoine said his community is in the same situation with residents displaced; their T-shirt vendor was flooded and longtime sponsor Ancelet’s was also impacted.

Port Arthur Police Det. Mike Hebert said the department has talked about attempting to merge National Night Out with their annual Trunk R Treat event but no final plans have been made.

“We are attempting to contact the neighborhood watch members and get their input into this,” Hebert said.

Because these communities were forced to either scrap or change their plans, Groves Police Department is looking to take up charge.

National Night Out in Groves will be held from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Lion’s Park at the corner of Jackson Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue.

The event is free.

Highlights include pony rides, a petting zoo, photo booth, emergency vehicle displays, free handouts and raffles. Links, chips, drinks and snow cones will be handed out on a first come, first serve basis so people are asked to come out early.

“We decided to move National Night Out to Lion’s Park to give it a little more room,” Groves City Marshal Norman Reynolds Jr. said of the change of venue.

This year’s event is Groves will be helping local animal rescue programs and the groups Pups In Peril and Mid County Paws of Hope are asking the community to “fill the cruiser.”

Organizers have asked residents to bring any of the following for entry into a drawing for a bicycle: dog food, Clorox wipes, puppy pads, dog collars, leashes, harnesses, treats, metal food bowls, KONGS dog toys, paper towels and garbage bags.

The purpose of National Night Out is to heighten crime prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back, according to information on the Groves Texas National Night Out Facebook page.