The local West Seattle Night Out parties were by all reports well attended and accomplished their purpose: To make people more familiar with their neighbors fostering greater connections between them to help curb crime, provide assistance and possible aid in the event of an emergency.

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Seattle Police Southwest Precinct Commander, Captain Steve Paulsen got out and attended, "Ten to fifteen block parties," where he had a chance to introduce himself personally, interact with kids and hear neighborhood concerns. "Those relationships really help to make people feel safer. It's that intimacy that you have with your neighbors. That neighbor is going to know what your regular habits are and they're going to be watching out for you and likewise back. It's invaluable as far as crime."

Captain Paulsen estimated there were more than 280 parties across West Seattle.

Red Star Pizza very kindly donated two very special 36 inch "Galactic Pizzas" to the party at 39th and Elmgrove and cleverly put a theme on each of them, built out of peppers and olives. One had the NO CRIME symbol and the other spelled out West Seattle. The cooking process made them less then full legible but kids and adults alike dove and devoured the very tasty treats.

Up in Arbor Heights two parties took place on the same longitude, between 102nd s.w. and 104th s.w. but at 39th s.w. and 37th s.w. respectively, The party on 39th saw roughly 35 people come out to share potluck and get acquainted. This was an organized group with a bouncy house, and a water balloon toss with prizes for the person (or team) with the last intact balloon.

Organizer Jen Latvala said she was glad she had the opportunity to, "get to know our community here and have some fun."

At the party on 37th s.w. it drew people from around the area. "We live on 35th and we're familiar with all our neighbors, said Karen Butts,"so it's nice to get to know 37th as well."

Dana Tell explained the benefits as ,"Getting to meet our neighbors, getting to make connections, just really honoring neighborhood night out. I think that we have gradually been building community as we've been here for the past four years so we do have somewhat of a network and it helps us to build it up more for so many reasons. If you need a just a cup of sugar or something happens and you need someone to watch your child, you're going away and need someone to feed your chickens, things like that."