Reclaiming Neighborhoods for Families

Tuesday night, people are going to see another tactic: block parties with kids playing in the street while their parents BBQ and mingle with neighbors, police officers and elected officials.

National Night Out, a crime and drug prevention awareness event that takes place across America, will be held in 20 Watsonville neighborhoods.

The events aim to foster neighborhood spirit, strengthen police and community partnerships, and send a clear message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and willing to fight back.

That has a lot of significance in Watsonville, where three young men have been fatally shot by rival gang members since July 8. So Tuesday, residents and police will try to "take back" the site of the most-recent slaying, the Target parking lot where . A hotdog BBQ and balloons will replace the crime scene tape.

Festivities in the 20 neighborhoods include block parties, BBQs, DJs, activities for children and dance contests. The Carey-Davis Neighborhood is even showing an outdoor movie. McGruff the Crime Fighting Dog, police, elected officials and the fire department will make appearances at most of the events.

Check the table below to find the fun closest to your neighborhood, or stop by the Target event.

Neighborhood Fun Time Apple Hill Neighborhood, near Green Valley Road Pizza and drinks at the complex pool 4:30-8:30 p.m.

Carey-Davis Neighborhood, 37 Davis Ave.

BBQ, kids games, face painting, music, science workshop, outdoor movie 4-10 p.m. Padres Unidos, Elm Street Neighbors, 149 Elm St. TBA TBA , 1415 Main St. WPD trailer, bounce house, popcorn, radio station, Nixle sign-up 6-8 p.m. , 229 Stanford Ave. Food and family activities 5-7 p.m. , 115 Brennan St. BBQ potluck, face painting, backpacks for children in transitional house 6-8 p.m. Freedom Mobile Home Park, 1954 Freedom Blvd. Bounce house, food, games, music 6:30-9 p.m. Hacienda Walk, 162 Rio del Pajaro Ct. Bounce house, DJ, food, games 5:30-8:30 p.m. , 486 Holohan Rd. #100 Rock climbing wall, food, DJ 5-9 p.m. Resetar Lane HOA, 34B W. Lake Ave. BBQ, bicycling, horseshoes, music 5-9 p.m. , 1007 Freedom Blvd. Pizza, games, prizes for kids, bounce house, raffles, music 6-8 p.m. , 113 E. Front St. BBQ potluck, kids games, music TBA Rosewood Drive BBQ potluck, kids games 6-9 p.m. Seaview Ranch, 99 Paseo Dr. Pizza, drinks, snacks, bounce house 5:30-7:30 p.m. , 300 Bree Ln. Bounce house, face painting, music, food, drinks 5-9 p.m. Sunny Meadows, 220 Ross Ave. Food, entertainment, games, raffle TBA Second Street Neighbors, , 150 2nd St. Food, refreshments, children's games TBA Vermont-Virginia Neighbors, 808 Vermont St. BBQ potluck 6-8 p.m. Miles Lane Community, 221 Kimberly Ln. BBQ potluck TBA -Sudden St. Neighbors, 27 Sudden St. Open house 4-9 p.m.