It’s the first Tuesday in August, meaning tonight is National Night Out.

The annual event, which could draw hundreds of residents outdoors, involves all segments of the community in  generating support for anti-crime programs and strengthening police and community relations via barbecue and block parties.

Minneapolis was ranked first among large cities for its 2008 National Night Out efforts by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), which sponsors the annual event.

Last year about 1,111 separate events were held on Tuesday, August 5. More than 62,000 people took part – more than 16 percent of the city’s population.

The theory is that the event has an impact throughout the year because friendly and familiar neighbors care more about their neighborhoods and do a better job of watching out and reporting crime and suspicious behavior to police.