A Tuesday night block party is set to bring food, music and family games to the Mountain View Community Center.

The 31st annual National Night Out is a countrywide initiative intended to support neighborhood crime prevention. It involves more than 15,000 communities, according to the National Association of Town Watch, and is billed as “the nation’s premiere crime prevention event.”

In Mountain View, the gathering is an opportunity for neighbors to meet community leaders and local police officers and build community spirit. Besides free food and entertainment, the Mountain View Lions Club said the event will include a petting zoo.

The National Night Out block party takes place Aug. 5 from 5-9 p.m. at the Mountain View Community Center.