Register your block party for national Night Out Aug. 2

The national Night Out block party extravaganza is set for Aug. 2, and neighborhoods all across the country will participate by blocking off their streets to cars, hauling out the barbecues and getting to know their neighbors a little better. The Seattle Police Department’s Crime Prevention unit is the local sponsor of the event, which is designed to bring neighbors together to help prevent crime.

Last year, MyBallard’s unofficial count of Ballard block parties totaled more than 50.

Two side-by-side block parties along 22nd Avenue NW from NW 70th Street in 2010.

Register your block party with SPD, and then, on Aug. 2, put up some kind of barricades (those large green recycling bins work pretty well). You can even print off block party invitations or Night Out logos to create your own.

In addition to registering your block, you can also add your event to a city-wide calendar, so everyone can see where their nearest block party is.

SPD is providing updated information on Night Out on a Facebook page. It’s also a good place to ask questions and get answers about the event.

Night Out is always the first Tuesday of August.