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Monday, July 30, 2012

City You Have SPD's Permission to Block Traffic on August 7

Posted by Unpaid Intern on Mon, Jul 30, 2012 at 2:05 PM

Posted by news intern Joseph Staten

Have you ever thrown a Night Out Against Crime party before? If not, you really should. It isn't often that you can hold a police-sanctioned soirée in the middle of the street, and this national, once-a-year crime-awareness event—which happens on the first Tuesday of every August—is the perfect opportunity.

People don't tend to get pumped up about crime awarness promotions, but Night Out is really, truly cool. The Seattle Police Department says that "When you register your event in Seattle, most non-arterial streets can be blocked off (without a fee), so you and your neighbors can take over your street." Also cool: real-life SPD officers come hang out at a bunch of the registered Night Out parties around the city. This year, that will be a very cathartic experience for many Seattleites still reeling from all the controversy currently surrounding the police department.

One more cool thing: Night Out happens to fall on primary election night this year, so your crime-awareness party can double as an election results party. Awesome.

Here's how to register your neighborhood party, from the SPD:

1. Register your neighborhood using our online form
2. Add your event to the public map (optional, you can keep your event private too).
3. Invite your neighbors by printing off the materials on our website. A street closure sign is available too.
4. And finally, get involved in the conversation about Night Out by “liking” our Night Out Facebook Page.

More information about Night Out can be found on the SPD Blotter and the SPD dedicated Night Out page

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Comments (14) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment

I smell a cap hill block party part deux (doo?)

Posted by wisepunk on July 30, 2012 at 2:15 PM

These are always fun events.

Posted by Will in Seattle

on July 30, 2012 at 2:24 PM

Is this for the organized pepper spraying?

Posted by Joe Szilagyi

on July 30, 2012 at 2:57 PM

Why do we need SPD's permission to block OUR streets, one more time?

Posted by TravisConquest on July 30, 2012 at 3:02 PM

@4 - It's considered polite to inform them where you'll be so they can more efficiently hassle you for absolutely no reason.

Posted by MacCrocodile

on July 30, 2012 at 3:12 PM

Travis, your street is public property. Yeah, you need permission to block it off. Far from surprising.

Posted by Spork on July 30, 2012 at 3:19 PM

"Come on, we can block the streets! It will be fun!", Citizens

"Meh, I'll pass", Occupy Protester

Posted by Kinison

on July 30, 2012 at 3:43 PM

Ok, where's the office pool?

How many shot by the time "Crime Night" is over.

I'll put $5 on seven shot, 2 critically.

Posted by Supreme Ruler Of The Universe

on July 30, 2012 at 3:54 PM

Yeeeeeeeeeah, I'll pass on throwing a party where SPD is invited to come hang out. I prefer to keep armed thugs away from my good time.

Posted by Ian Awesome

on July 30, 2012 at 6:36 PM

"Dear The Bad Guys: My house will be empty and unattended the evening of Aug. 7. And the police will be elsewhere. You're welcome."

Posted by Dr_Awesome on July 30, 2012 at 6:51 PM

We never check the box "send a cop to our party". Who checks that box? Somebody to tell you you can't have beer and your grill is a fire hazard? Probably your Qeeen Anne and Laurelhurst types invite the cops. Nobody else does that, seriously.

(Confidential to Dr Awesome: a block party happens on your block. The one your house is on? So you and your neighbors will be right there. In front of your houses? For the bad guys to walk past on the way to your empty house? Let me know if I need to draw a diagram of some kind.)

Posted by Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn

on July 30, 2012 at 8:23 PM

Phguli Phooly: Yeah, I know. But (at least up north) the Parks Department is also on board with it, and they host Night Out parties in county parks as well... meaning people would be a little too far from their house to see the bad guys sneakin' in.

Posted by Dr_Awesome on July 30, 2012 at 9:18 PM