In a college town like Gainesville it usually means block parties and cookouts are over when the cops show up, but that wasn't the case Tuesday. It was National Night Out and communities all over the country partied -- with the cops.

"What we trying to do is mobilize communities to fight against crime," said Gainesville Police Chief Tony Jones at Lincoln Park in Southeast Gainesville. "And the way we do it is we bring it to the community on National Night Out."

At least 20 similar community and cop block party events happened throughout North Central Florida. But they mean more to some people than others, like self-described "crazy lady on the corner" Michelle Sigrin.

"I run the young mens off the corner," said Sigrin. "I try to keep them out of trouble. So I'm the lady that too many people don't really care about."

But she does it for a reason. Sigrin says her older son goes in and out of jail, and she hopes events like these help keep her younger son Joshua out.

"I really would rather see them out there enjoying their life instead of worrying about visiting them behind bars."

National Night Out is an annual event.