National Night Out is Tuesday, Aug. 5.

During the annual event, neighborhoods hold block parties, usually sometime between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., for residents to get to know each other and serve as a crime deterrent.

“Everyone gets to know their neighbor,” explained Chaska Police Officer Julie Janke. “What we want to do is create an awareness with the Police Department and the community,” she said.

This is the third year Janke has been organizing the event. The first year about 25 neighborhoods participated and the second year about 50 neighborhoods participated. Janke hopes that 100 neighborhoods participate this year. “Let’s double it again this year. Let’s try for 100 parties,” she said.

Besides various happenings sponsored by each neighborhood, Chaska Mayor Gary Van Eyll and Chaska Police Chief Scott Knight will be making the rounds, as will Chaska Police Department and Chaska Fire Department mascots McGruff and Sparky.

In downtown Chaska, the Chaska Library is sponsoring a 6:30 p.m. “Family Fiesta” event, which includes stories, crafts and snacks celebrating Latino culture. From 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., a Chaska Fire Truck, ambulance and Chaska police squad car will be parked at the library for kids to check out.

National Night Out

To participate in National Night Out locally, contact Julie Janke at (952) 448-4200. For more information about the national event, visit www.nationalnightout.org/nno/

 Groups participating (so far)

Jonathan Association

Brickyard Apartments

Waybury Apartments

Lake Grace Apartments

 Sun Lake Woods Apartments

Cortina Woods

Timbercreek of Bavaria Hills

Autumn Woods

Chaska Village Townhomes

Carver Ridge Townhomes

Riverview Terrace

Weston Ridge Parkway

Chaska Library

Source: Chaska Police Officer Julie Janke