Well, I guess you know local residents and city officials could just bust a button or two with pride when Des Moines was compared to neighboring cities in a July 8th front-page story in The Seattle Times.

My favorite quote from reporter Cara Solomon was, "Who else has a marina sitting pretty on Puget Sound?"

We're famous!

However, remember that along with "Fame" come consequences, some just dandy and some unsavory.

As word gets around people may flock to this small city, and that's well and good so long as they respect and appreciate this unique community.

As signs in Saltwater State Park (sorta) read, "You brought trash in - -you take trash out."

It's true. Sometimes in fuzzy, unclear, unthinking moments of land development and/or everyday use, we tend to destroy or take away from the very beauty that attracts us in the first place.

Even personal relationships suffer from mistakes or lack of caring.

This little city appears hanging on the hinge of a huge positive change, an upgraded quality of life, and a nurturing of long-time community volunteerism inspirational spirit.

Not only is Mother Nature a treasured star here, so are the people who keep it safe, inviting and a desirable place to live, play, and grow old together. Practicing neighborhood crime prevention is vital.

The United States' 25th Anniversary of "National Night Out" for Crime Prevention is August 5th, Tuesday, a time set aside when citizens nationwide are asked to turn on their residence outside lights, lock their doors and spend the evening outside getting to know neighbors.

Local citizens are planning block parties in cooperation with Des Moines Police Department annual crime prevention programs headed by Community Service Officer Jennifer Clark. Note: Block Parties must pre-register with the police department at 206 870-7624 or DMPD 206 878-3301.

So, what's this really all about? For starters, increased awareness of crime and drug prevention, strengthening local neighborhood spirit, and encouraging police-community partnerships, as summarized in Clark's flier, "Give neighborhood Crime and Drugs a "Going Away Party!"

The message to criminals is - citizens are organized, fighting back, and we won't take it anymore. The reality of life is the fight against crime starts where we live - not down the road and around the curve.

Police Chief Roger Baker said, "The results of these programs and outstanding enforcement efforts reduced the part-one (most serious) crime rate in Des Moines by 23 percent in 2007. It takes the efforts of involved neighborhoods to get those kinds of results."

Expanding on Officer Clark's chosen theme of "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" is a food bank donation drive July 21 to Aug. 1 and ongoing children's art contest with entries displayed at block parties and public safety meetings.

Food bank drive donations of nonperishable food and/or cash donations can be dropped off during business hours at these State Farm Insurance agent offices: Charleen Schulz, 22206-7th Avenue South; Vickie Bergquist, 22760 Marine View Drive South or Kurt Kwon, 27043 Pacific Highway South.

The children's art contest age groups are 4-6, 7-9 and10-12 years old. Red Robin Restaurant gift certificates are prizes and artist's drawings will be displayed locally. Although older kids' drawings are not contest-eligible, they're welcomed for future police-use public display.

Each drawing must reflect how that child sees themself keeping safe, particularly within their own neighborhood, such as looking both ways before crossing a street, locking doors when alone, and never, ever, going anywhere with a stranger no matter what that person says.

If the child doesn't know the stranger - likely neither do the child's parents. Sadly, sometimes even friends and relatives have sick ulterior motives. It's a nasty and too often effective trick criminals use.

There's much to gain knowing and working with neighbors for safety's sake, most importantly - human life. Where lack of communication, crime and unsafe conditions are prevalent an almost ghost town will rise.

On the other hand - a safe, crime-free home blessed with nature's beauty, guarded by professionals and citizen cooperation - with or without a marina - is priceless.

We like it "with."

Now that's a story worthy of living color on any accredited newspaper's front page.

Thought: "He has the right to criticize who has the heart to help." Abraham Lincoln.