Palo Alto residents can get up to $1,500 to throw a block party next month, but they'll need to apply by Wednesday, July 22.
The Palo Alto Police Department is hosting a free National Night Out celebration at Bol Park, 3590 Laguna Ave., on Tuesday, August 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. The event will feature games, emergency vehicles on display, and police personnel available to chat with attendees, according to a PAPD press release published Thursday, June 25.
The press release listed potential vehicle displays from the Palo Alto Fire Department, the Office of Emergency Services, animal control, and park rangers.
Grant money for neighborhood parties
Beyond the Bol Park gathering, the department is encouraging residents and neighborhood associations to host their own block parties that evening. Register with the PAPD, and the department said it will make every attempt to send officers to visit.
Those private gatherings qualify for the city's Know Your Neighbors Grant Program. Individual residents can receive up to $1,000, while neighborhood associations can apply for up to $1,500 to organize events that build connections between neighbors, according to the press release.
The grant deadline for National Night Out parties is Wednesday, July 22.
Past neighborhood events have ranged from small potlucks to large block parties, the PAPD said. Any block party requiring a road closure needs a free permit issued in advance by the police department.
How to take part
National Night Out is a nationwide annual event held on the first Tuesday of August, promoting police-community partnerships across all 50 states.
The City of Palo Alto recently posted the details about it on their Instagram.
To register a private event or ask questions, residents can email [email protected]. The PAPD's National Night Out team responds during business hours, usually within two business days, according to the press release. More information and grant applications are available at paloalto.gov/nationalnightout.
Upcoming community dates
- Wednesday, July 22 — Know Your Neighbor Grant application deadline for National Night Out events
- Tuesday, August 4, 5–8 p.m. — National Night Out block party at Bol Park, 3590 Laguna Ave.
