Night out for community, cops

Dozens of parties were registered in neighborhoods across the county, with marque gatherings in numerous cities. Promoted as a way to build safer streets by strengthening community and police partnerships, local officials note it’s also a fun way to enjoy a summer evening.

“It’s an annual community-building campaign that promotes partnerships between the community and city staff. With these partnerships it creates safer neighborhoods because our community acts as our eyes and ears,” said San Mateo police Sgt. Amanda Von Glahn. “This is a proactive event that brings together police and neighbors under positive circumstances.”

Starting 6 p.m., San Mateo’s Martin Luther King Jr. Center will host an annual event where members of the city’s police and fire departments will eagerly shake hands and pass out swag to local children. City dignitaries, McGruff the Crime Dog and a vintage police vehicle are known to participate in the Central Neighborhood event.

Von Glahn noted the event, with fun activities for children, seeks to reinforce positive relationship with law enforcement starting at a young age. Nearly 52 block parties were registered for Tuesday’s event and Von Glahn said first responders will be visiting many of the gatherings to connect with attendees.

Local police departments, including San Mateo’s, have stressed community engagement and sought to distinguish themselves from federal immigration enforcement following national tensions. Von Glahn said it’s important everyone feel comfortable contacting law enforcement if they’ve been a victim of a crime and there will be representatives from the Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center at this year’s King Center event as well.

Aside from encouraging residents to familiarize themselves with officers, National Night Out also promotes people getting to know their neighbors. The event seeks to promote formation of neighborhood watch groups and San Bruno police Lt. Troy Fry said alert residents are one of the most effective ways to combat property crime.

“We’d really like neighbors to know each other and feel comfortable taking to each other,” Fry said. “This event is so neighbors can meet each other, meet the police, they can talk about issues in their neighborhoods and talk about solutions. … But the biggest thing we want to accomplish is to know your neighbor, know what’s normal and what’s not, when to contact police and when to talk to each other.”

San Bruno is hosting a kickoff event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Grundy Park where people can learn about starting neighborhood watch groups and meet local officers.

As officers often prevent or solve a variety of crimes based on reports from engaged residents, Belmont police Capt. Halleran said the partnership between law enforcement and neighbors is key.

“Most people don’t get a chance to talk to police officers unless something bad happens. This gives us a chance to meet … in a more casual setting,” Halleran said. “A good relationship is like anything else, you have to work at it.”

Since starting in 2010, neighborhoods hold a variety of events with nearly a dozen locales this year. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Belmont Library will have music, ice cream and books; while the Carlmont Shopping Center hosts another public event where people are encouraged to take a break from their busy routines and gather together, Halleran said.

“We’ve had everything from really elaborate neighborhood block parties, all the way to just a few houses getting together. And the whole purpose is to get to know your neighbor, slow down and meet everybody. Because when you know your neighbor, it makes it better for everybody,” Halleran said.

The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office will also be in attendance at numerous community events, including from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Millbrae’s Central Park, at two San Carlos block parties, and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at a North Fair Oaks elementary school in unincorporated Redwood City.

Sheriff’s Detective Sal Zuno said it’s important to work at building relationships daily and the annual events offer a unique opportunity for people to meet neighbors as well as those serving their community.

“This is just another way for us to spend some time with members of the community in a casual setting. For them to get to know us on a one-on-one more personal situation, so they can see we’re just normal people who have a job and love what they do,” Zuno said. “Let them know we’re approachable, we are here for them and that we’re part of the community and that the community is part of us.”

Visit your cities’ website or police department for more information.

samantha@smdailyjournal.com

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Twitter: @samantha_weigel