This past Tuesday saw lots of neighbors getting together for fun and games.
It was the annual Night to Unite in Coon Rapids. A record 128 neighborhood parties took place across the city. Members of the police and fire departments made the rounds to visit as many parties as possible. They handed out badges and tattoos for kids.
The evening is a great opportunity for officers to meet with residents and listen to their concerns.
"We do get the typical someone's speeding up and down our street, what can we do and then we make suggestions on that," says Officer Brian Beedle of the Coon Rapids Police Department. "We give some crime prevention tips as far as shrubbery around the window, lighting, vehicles locked at night, not keeping the garage door openers in the vehicles."
There was face painting for kids at the party held at United Methodist Church where they also served up ice cream treats.
City officials hope the number of parties across the city will continue to increase in the coming years.