The Charlotte Observer, N.C., Rich Haag column: Turn on porch light, go party.

Byline: Rich Haag

Aug. 5--In the name of crime prevention, residents of several University City neighborhoods will turn on their front lights this Tuesday or Wednesday evening, and then head to ... a neighborhood party!

For example:

--Highland Creek will have music performed by Below the Belt.

--Back Creek will have a Moon Bounce, water slide and T-shirts.

--Wellington will offer swimming and volleyball.

--And just about every participating neighborhood will dispense free food and advice on how to thwart crime.

University City participants will join people in thousands of communities across America in the 24th annual National Night Out, whose promoters label it "a unique crime/drug prevention event."

The concept dreamed up by founder Matt Peskin of Wynnewood, Pa., is simple. He started with the premise that neighborhoods have become unsafe because we don't sit on the front porch at night and talk with our neighbors anymore. As a result, we can't tell friend from foe.

His answer: Turn back the clock -- or at least turn on the light once a year -- and meet and greet the people around you through a neighborhood event.

Peskin then founded a nonprofit group, the National Association of Town Watch, to promote his idea.

The group claims that neighborhoods in about 11,000 communities will have National Night Out events…