Eight neighborhood associations and community groups across the city held block parties on their streets to participate in the 19th annual National Night Out—originally established to fight crime and drugs in cities.

"We are not a formal association, nor are we an 'at risk' neighborhood," said Mary DePew, a six-year resident of the Ortega Park neighborhood, located on Inverness Avenue. "But we still decided to come together and have a party."

Canary Drive was closed off to traffic from 6 to 9 p.m., and residents—wearing tags with their names and addresses—from the 60 homes in the area came out to the street to mingle, play games and hang out. After decorating their bikes, the neighborhood children paraded them up and down the street while waving Glowsticks. There was a Bounce House set up for the kids and snacks and ice cream for the whole crowd. Sunnyvale Public Safety officers were present to meet and greet residents.

And that's how the National Night Out spirit has evolved through the years. What started off as a drive to mobilize city neighborhoods and heighten crime-, drug- and violence-prevention awareness on the East Coast has become more of a coming together of community groups, law enforcement, businesses and residents in neighborhoods across the country.

"The evening was a great opportunity for all of us to get together," said Monica Davis, who calls herself the unofficial president of the homeowners association for the 40-home Charles Street neighborhood between Washington and Evelyn Avenues, near downtown Sunnyvale. "We have a lot of elderly residents who don't get out that often. This is a good way for all our residents to visit with each other and find out what's going on in each other's lives."

Approximately 25 residents—a turnout of more than 50 percent—participated in the dessert potluck, filling the table on the street with ice cream, cakes and cookies. There was face painting for the children, and Public Safety sent over a fire truck that they could explore.

This is the fourth year that Sunnyvale has participated in the event.

Every year the city sponsors the event at a different location. The city also supports the other neighborhood events as well by contributing law enforcement officers and city personnel.

"Lakewood Village was chosen this year by the Neighborhood Task Force because there are a few other projects going on there," said Christy Gunvalsen, Sunnyvale's neighborhood preservation manager.

Close to 600 people—including residents, city council members, city officials and law enforcement personnel—gathered at Lakewood Park to show solidarity and join in the festivities. With music provided by Wild 94.9, families visited with each other, enjoying the free hotdogs and ice cream. Children rode their bikes around the park, flew kites on the green or played in the playground. People stood in long lines waiting their turn to get a free potted plant from the department of parks and recreation. Several booths displayed information and brochures on city services and agencies.

The public safety department had two fire trucks, an ambulance, a compressed natural gas truck and several police cars parked for residents—mostly children—to explore.

"The main purposes of the National Night Out are networking and socializing," Gunvalsen said. "Neighbors met neighbors that they hadn't seen for months or hadn't met at all."

The San Miguel Neighborhood Association held an ice cream social at San Miguel Elementary School off Duane Avenue expressly for that purpose, said Vice Chair Lori Boos. Public Safety officers had a fire truck parked by the school and answered questions by children and residents.

Boos hopes that once neighborhood residents get to know one another, they will generate neighborhood support and participate in local programs. When people in a neighborhood know one another, they tend to help each other out in times of need, she added.

This year, when there is a special and urgent need for communities to work together, city officials hope that events like the event will strengthen neighborhood spirit and enhance the partnership between law enforcement and the community. They also hope the night out also sends a message to criminals that city neighborhoods are getting organized and fighting back.