The annual Night Out parties that take place across the nation are here again Aug. 2 and the Seattle Police Department has a useful map for those who have registered their event.
The purpose of the event is to foster greater knowledge and awareness between neighbors to reduce crime, provide assistance and help in the event of an emergency.
So far those who have registered (by no means the complete list) include:
3000 48th SW Seattle Night Out block party
48th SW between Stevens and Hanover
Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 6pm
Benchview Neighborhood Night Out
between Orleans and Manning
on 55th Ave. SW
Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 5:30pm
N. North Admiral Neighbors
1300 block 44th Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98116
Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 6pm
Neighborhood Night Out
1600-1700 block of Harbor Ave SW
Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 6pm
City Night Out- Alki Neighborhood
62nd Ave and SW Hinds
Seattle, WA
Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 6pm
Harbor Square Night Out 2011
2425 Harbor Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98126
Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 6:30pm
Aikins Avenue Night Out Block Party
4100 Aikins Avenue Southwest
Seattle 98116
Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 6pm
46th Avenue SW Night Out
4451 46th Ave SW
Seattle, WA
Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 6pm
5400 block party
5400 block of 42nd Ave
Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 6pm
44th Ave SW is the best!
5900 block of 44th Ave SW (between Juneau and Raymond)
Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 5:30pm
Night Out
6300 46th Avenue SW
Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 5pm
7100 31st Avenue Summer Block Party
7100 31st Avenue SW
Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 6pm
12th Ave SW Night Out
12th Ave SW between Kenyon and Elmgrove streets
Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 6pm
Night Out Block Party
9241 47th Avenue SW
Seattle WA
Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 6pm
Riverside Neighborhood Gathering
3835 17th Ave SW 98106
Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 6pm
Portland Street Block Party
Portland Street between California and 41st, West Seattle
Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 6pm
26th SW South of Juneau 2nd Annual Night Out!
6000 block of 26th Ave SW
Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 6:30pm
National Night Out Block Party
Salvation Army
9050 16th Ave SW
Seattle WA 98106
Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 6pm
Arbor Heights Block Party
39th Ave between 104th and 102nd Sts.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 7pm
Neighborhood Night Out
10444 - 34th Ave. S.W.
Seattle, WA 98146
Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 6pm
Generally speaking, you may have already seen or had delivered a flyer for your block. If not, look for streets to be closed for the event Aug.2 after about 5:30 pm.
Sylvan Ridge Community
Sylvan Ridge Townhomes
7001 SW Sylvan Way
Seattle 98106
Tuesday, August 2, 2011, 6pm
As The West Seattle Herald has previously published here are some ideas for a party you might be hosting or attending.
-Potlucks are the most common way to feed the masses. You might try having one side of the street provide main course proteins while the other side brings desserts or sides (switch each year), gathering barbeques in a central location and firing them up for anyone’s use (this person’s block preferred to bring their own meat instead of potlucking it) or charging a reasonable fee to anyone who wants to eat the good stuff (like salmon or steak). A good green suggestion is having everyone bring their own plates and silverware to the potluck to reduce waste.
-Plan fun activities for the neighborhood kids like egg races, sidewalk chalk art, bike races, clowns, putt-putt golf or bouncy houses
-If your party is on a non-arterial street you are allowed to close off the road with barriers (no permit is required on Night Out). Solomon said not to use cars to block off the road just in case emergency vehicles need to get through quickly. In addition, have people park off the street before the party starts to create more party space.
-If you decided to hire live music take into consideration noise level, universal music selections and possibly going acoustic rather than electric.
-When registering your party with Seattle Police they will do their best to bring by fun packs of toys for the kids along with emergency preparedness materials for the adults. These materials may also be available for pickup from the Southwest Precinct prior to Night Out. While registering you have the option of making your party public so politicians looking for face time or media groups looking for a story can stop by. If you would rather keep it private, just make a note of that when registering.
-Police advise that the best window for a party is 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., giving late workers a chance to get home and early sleepers a chance at peace and quiet.
-Drinking beer and wine on closed off streets during Night Out parties is OK as long as there are no complaints, and of course no underage drinking. The same goes for noise – police response would only be complaint driven. This year’s event is on a Tuesday night so noise complaints can come in anytime past 10 p.m.
-Icebreakers – if people on your block are not familiar with each other consider having icebreaker games or using name tags with something interesting, or even just their address from each person on them.
