Officially, tonight is National Night Out, involving citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 10,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, over 34 million people participated in NNO 2005. But not in Willow Glen, as far as we know.

Only a few communities in the Bay Area officially participate, according to Bay City News Service:

At least two dozen Bay Area communities from Sonoma to San Jose will play host to neighborhood block parties tonight as a means of strengthening ties between community members, police and public officials.

Held in conjunction with National Night Out, the evening events aim to familiarize homeowners with the men and women who patrol their streets, and to communicate and share ideas on ways to abate crime and improve local quality of life.

For the most part, we are fortunate to know our neighbors and interact with them often. Car fies and random vandalism aside, our neighborhood is strong and safe. Families walk and bike around town, and several gathering places around the neighborhood call us together on a regular basis.

Tuesday may not be your regular night out, but surely you do get out often. If you have a favorite gathering place, let us know!

Whether or not you hang out on your porch tonight, enjoy WG … and let’s make sure it stays this way!