Photo

Bay Area residents hit the streets Tuesday night to attend hundreds of block parties being organized throughout the region for the 29th annual National Night Out.

Held annually on the first Tuesday of August, National Night Out Against Crime has become a tradition that pushes neighbors to come together, meet each other and get to know the local law enforcement -- all to create safer neighborhoods.

The San Ramon Valley hosted dozens of block parties, with 23 in San Ramon alone. The San Ramon Police, along with its 1952 Chevy car, the city of San Ramon and its mascot Sam the Crow, went by various parties to meet residents and discuss crime.

"National Night Out is about police-community partnership. They want everyone to turn their lights on and lock their front doors and come together as a group with their police department," said Crime Prevention Specialist Darlene Kitteridge.

Officials from the San Ramon Valley Fire Department as well as volunteers from the Community Emergency Response Team will be on hand to discuss safety and the upcoming emergency preparedness fair.

"San Ramon is very safe, but it's almost safe to a fault. Most people feel complacent here that we're not susceptible to a crime," Kitteridge said, adding that most local crimes are crimes of opportunity such as auto burglary. "It's a nice night to have the opportunity to remind people not to become a target of a crime, what to look out for and what to do."

Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.