Crime & Safety

It's National Night Out—What Will You Be Doing?

The annual event brings neighbors together against crime.

 It's called National Night Out Against Crime. The first Tuesday in August is a time when block parties spring up in neighborhoods across America as a way to send a message to criminals—crime and drugs will not be tolerated. This annual event, established 29 years ago, begins at 5 p.m. tonight. Some communities started earlier this afternoon and will party until late.

Sonoma police spokesman Sgt. Spencer Crum told Patch he hadn't heard of any Night Out parties in the city.

However, people in Petaluma are organizing a parade and barbecue, according to Bay City News Service.

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In Suisun City, the City is hosting a block party.

In another Patch town—Fairfield—members of the city council, department heads, and police and fire personnel will visit 43 registered events.

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Oakland, with high crime rates, will hold a city record of 605  block parties. 

City spokeswoman Karen Boyd said residents are "embracing the notion that knowing your neighbors is a good way to keep your neighborhood safe." Nearly 200 firefighters, police officers and other city employees will fan out across Oakland to take part in barbecues, ice cream socials and other neighborly get-togethers. 

San Francisco police have organized block parities in every police district and on Treasure Island.

Yontville Community Center will host a bicycle rodeo and police will visit on horses.

Vacaville has 38 neighborhood groups hosting events.

The Night Out is sponsored by Target.

What are you doing in your neighborhood?

Bay City News Service and Fairfield Patch contributed to this report.



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