10:35am | The Long Beach Police Department has announced that this year’s observance of National Night Out will occur on Tuesday, Aug. 2.
From 6 to 9 p.m. that evening, residents throughout Long Beach are encouraged to lock their doors, turn on their outdoor lights and spend the evening outside to send a message to criminals that neighbors are unified and looking out for one another and working with police to keep their communities safe, according to information provided by LBPD spokeswoman Lisa Massacani.
National Night Out is a nationwide celebration commonly referred to as “American’s night out against crime.” Sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, it began as a campaign to aid in strengthening police-community partnerships. It also aims to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and generate support for and participation in local anti-crime efforts such as neighborhood watch programs.
In previous years, large, festive celebrations featuring equipment displays, crime and safety fairs and live musical entertainment were staged by the city, but due to budget cuts, the hosting of local events is now left up to those residents who volunteer to take on the task.
Massacani said that last year’s observance included 10 family-friendly neighborhood events held throughout the city, ranging from ice-cream socials and potlucks to cookouts and block parties, all hosted by residents.
LBPD officers will be stopping by this year’s various celebrations, which will include an ice-cream social in the Eighth District, a potluck hosted by the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance at the mini-park located between 21st and Hill streets west of San Francisco Avenue adjacent to the Los Angeles River; and a spaghetti dinner at the home of a member of the East Hill/Salt Lake Streets Neighborhood Watch Group.
The department’s Community Watch program will be highlighted at each National Night Out community event. To learn more about which neighborhoods plan to host an event or to volunteer to help host one in your neighborhood, call patrol Lt. Michael Beckman at 562-570-5817.
For additional information on the Community Watch Program, visit LongBeach.gov/police.