With tensions on the rise between communities and the peace officers who patrol them, National Night Out has become a staple event in neighborhoods across America. Hundreds of residents in Pearland and Friendswood are expected to join their neighbors and local law enforcement at neighborhood block parties from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight. National Night Out serves as a way for communities to interface and form positive relationships with the men and women in blue who serve in those areas. “What this does is provide a positive environment for neighbors to get out there in regards to crime trend analysis, crime prevention tips and everything down to proper use of 9-1-1 and stranger danger for the little ones,” Pearland Police Department officer Jason Wells said. Building relationships between neighbors is another critical component of National Night Out,  Friendswood crime prevention officer Kevin Crouch said. “The most important thing is really between the neighbors. We encourage the get-together and showing our support of National Night Out, but the push is the neighbors get to know each other and break that wall of silence between each other.” Homeowners Associations and individual apartment complexes contacted both the Pearland and Friendswood Police Departments to participate in tonight’s events. More than 30 Pearland neighborhoods will host a community get-together, and they include Banbury Cross, Shadowcreek Ranch and Southern Trails subdivisions. Twenty-three Friendswood neighborhoods will host a community get-together, and they include Falcon Ridge, Friendswood Oaks, Friendswood Lakes, Forest of Friendswood, Sun Meadow and West Ranch. Thirty-eight million Americans have celebrated National Night Out since the ‘80s, according to the National Association of Town Watch, which established the annual event.