Today: Berkeley neighbors to hold dozens of block parties

August 2, 2011 12:36 pm by Tracey Taylor

There will be potlucks galore, BBQs, talent shows, live music and food demonstrations — if you’re wondering how you missed hearing about the parties tonight, do not fear, there’s sure to be one you can join near where you live.

Today is National Night Out day, and a total of 52 permits have been issued by the Berkeley Police Department for neighborhood block parties and street closures across the city.

The simple concept behind National Night Out is that neighbors get to know one another. While an obvious benefit is a more friendly place to live, it has also been shown that crime reduction begins when communities come together, organize and find common grounds that lead to safer neighborhoods for families and neighbors.

In Berkeley, the neighbors of 63rd Street are holding a movie night in the 63rd Street mini-park as well as a BBQ and potluck; Avis Road residents are throwing in some emergency preparation training along with their grilling; and the Halcyon neighborhood group is organizing a safety walk. But, mostly, residents are just saying ‘bring a dish’ and come say hello to each other — with potlucks being the order of the day.

City of Berkeley staff, police officers and fire fighters will all be out and about at block parties to help strengthen community relations.

Check out the full list of events here; note that a City of Berkeley a block permit is necessary for street closures and registration is now closed.

This year is the 28th National Night Out nationally and the initiative is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch.

6 Comments

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  • Alina

    Block party!!! Yeahhh… Thanks for the list!

  • I<3Berkeley

    If you are planning a block party, please let your neighbors know. On my old street, our house of grad students never found out until we saw it outside or drove up to find the street closed. We would have participated but usually just felt inconvenienced and left out. Thanks!

  • Friendly Neighbor

    Is there a list of neighborhood associations somewhere?  I’d love to know if there is one in my neighborhood!  I don’t have the time to organize one, but would love to participate from time to time in organizing events like this.

  • http://caviarcommunism.us West Bezerkeley

    All you need to do is go out and walk in your neighborhood to see if you find one of the gatherings. If you do, then introduce yourself and voila, you get yourself connected for involvement tonight and in the future.

  • Frank Nachtman

    A few weeks or days notice would have been helpful.

  • Bo

    I hate to sound negative, but sometimes it’s best to keep to yourself in Berkeley. Your neighbors are all a bunch of liberal freaks. They will not be there to support you if one of your neighbors violates you in some way. They will go into denial and befriend the offender even more and turn on you. They will also accuse you of demonizing them..God forbide you go to a city council  meeting in Berkeley. It’s like Halloween every day.  Don’t trust Berkeley neighbors.. Be very careful. You never know where they are coming from…