National Night Out

National Night Out (NNO) is a unique event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch and is held the first Tuesday in August. The National Night Out campaign involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials.

Mark your calendar! National Night Out 2021 will be held Tuesday, August 3.

Police officer talking to little girl — National Night Out

What National Night Out Does

Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness
Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs
Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships

Along with the traditional display of outdoor lights and front porch vigils, cities, towns and neighborhoods 'celebrate' NNO with a variety of events and activities such as:

block parties,
cookouts,
visits from local police, fire fighters, paramedics, and city officials.

NNO has proven to be an effective, inexpensive and enjoyable program to promote neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships in our fight for a safer nation.

Why Host a Block Party

Hosting a block party for National Night Out is not only a great way to bring your neighbors' together, but it is also:

An excuse to have fun.
An opportunity to meet your neighbors. When a neighborhood is more familiar with each other, the more likely they are to identify strangers or suspicious activity.
Increases the sense of belonging in a neighborhood.
Makes additional connections within the community - make plans to organize a book club, create a babysitting co-op, or find new friends for your children.
Allows the neighborhood to use the street for a day for sports and other activities, like hockey, basketball and other games.
Gives a starting point to have a yearly neighborhood tradition.

Man and a woman standing next to each other — National Night Out in 2019

Get Started

There are a few things to get lined up before you host a block party:

A couple of months in advance, talk to neighbors and find out if there is interest in having a block party.
Gather a few neighbors and divide up the tasks. Decide on a possible theme, activities, etc. Decide what to do about food.
Make the invitations and distribute to neighbors.
Recruit volunteers.
Register your event with your local police department.
A few days before the event, place sign(s) in the neighborhood reminding the neighbors of the block party.

Important Items

Road Closures

Before any road may be temporarily closed, two permits need to be requested and approved: The City of Boise Citizens Use Permit, and Ada County District’s Special Event Permit.

Please put National Night Out in the event name on each permit.

Email completed SEP to permits@achdidaho.org

Please note: On this event, you do not need to have insurance, and you do not need to pay the fee.

Special Event Permit

Email completed CUP to citizenuse@cityofboise.org

Citizen Use Permit

Get Additional Recycle Bins

Boise Public Works has recycle bins available to borrow at no charge for your neighborhood events. Two styles of recycling bins are available: collapsible and yellow Rubbermaid. You can call (208) 608-7537 or fill out the online form.

Contact Curb It

Be Aware of City Noise Ordinance

If you have amplified music at your block party, such as a neighborhood band, you are subject to the City Noise Ordinance, as per City Code.

Consider printing off fliers and go door-to-door or email the neighbors. The flier would include a contact phone number the day of the event, and then if someone has an issue with the music they can call the number on your flier to handle their complaint.

Little girl looking at facepaint in the mirror — National Night Out 2016

Suggested Activities

Neighborhood History

Cultural Connections
Have everyone bring their favorite family dish.
Record the story of how everyone came to live in the neighborhood and what he or she likes best about it.
Identify any special people that lived in your area such as the longest resident, politician, artist, military personnel, etc.

Family Activities

Invite a clown, balloon artist, or magician
Have games using water balloons
Rent a "Jump House"
Do face painting (Remember to use non-toxic paint)
Organize a kids talent show or bike parade
Use sidewalk chalk (Make it a game for the kids and give out prizes)
Play Musical Chairs
Play an ice-breaker game

Send a Message to Police

Thank you for contacting the Boise Police Department. Please fill out the form and someone from the department will be in touch with you.

If this is an emergency, please call 911.