Crime & Safety

30th Annual National Night Out Comes to Berkeley Aug. 6

On Tuesday night, Aug. 6, a number of Berkeley neighborhoods are expected to hold block parties and other neighbor get-togethers for the annual anti-crime National Night Out. Anyone can register an event with the city.

The annual neighborhood anti-crime event, National Night Out – which takes place in Berkeley and elsewhere on Aug. 6 this year – is not what it started out to be.

What began three decades ago as a simple front-porch "lights on" night to signal neighborhood cooperation in fighting crime has evolved into a popular and fun occasion where neighborhoods organize block parties or other outdoor get-togethers to build connections with each other. Police officers and firefighters often drop by.

"The City of Berkeley welcomes all Neighborhood Watch Groups, local businesses, faith based organizations and community groups to organize and join us in a festive and positive night," says an announcement on the city's website. "Let's celebrate community, the fight against crime, safety and disaster preparedness with members of the City of Berkeley Police and Fire Departments as well as City of Berkeley Staff."  

Organizers of National Night Out events are urged to register in advance, with the city, especially if they want a street-closure. The city offered these instrucitons:

Residents can download the registration form here.  To complete the registration, all groups must submit a block permit with the City of Berkeley for street closures for this event.  Please read the Block Party permits and necessary requirements to download the necessary forms. 

"In the past, groups have hosted BBQs, pot lucks, picnics, ice cream/dessert socials, kid parades, neighborhood clean-ups and music performances," the city notice says. "It's a fun event which has been very successful in promoting crime prevention activities, strengthening police-community relations, and supporting neighborhoods." 

Those who have questions can contact Officer Stephanie Polizziani at 510-981-5772 or spolizziani@cityofberkeley.info.

National Night Out was introduced in 1984 by Matt Peskin, Executive Director of the nonprofit National Association of Town Watch.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for communities nationwide to promote police-community partnerships, crime prevention, and neighborhood camaraderie," Peskin says on the National Night Out website. "While the one night is certainly not an answer to crime, drugs and violence, National Night Out represents the kind of spirit, energy and determination to help make neighborhoods a safer place year round." 

The website also describes how widely the event has spread: "National Night Out now involves over 37 million people and 15,000 communities from all fifty states, U.S. Territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide." 


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