San Diego law enforcement agencies are hosting annual National Night Out events throughout the county on Tuesday to build community. Residents will be able to meet officers, learn safety tips, and enjoy food, music and games.
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The Sheriff’s Office is hosting events in Poway, Imperial Beach, San Marcos, Lemon Grove, Valley Center and Vista on Tuesday. Other sheriff’s stations and substations are holding events on other days: North Coastal on Wednesday, Rancho San Diego and Santee on Thursday, and Lakeside on Friday. The Ramona, Alpine and Fallbrook communities held their events last week.
San Diego police will host a large event at the Robert Egger Sr. South Bay Recreation Center in Egger Highlands from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, with a community walk beginning at 4:15 p.m. There will be free haircuts for kids, games and a food distribution. Another event will go from 4 to 7 p.m. at Memorial Community Park in Logan Heights. San Diego police will also be at events at Mission Valley mall in front of Nordstrom Rack, Jeremy Henwood Park in City Heights, the Jacobs Center in Lincoln Park and the Pacific Beach Taylor Branch Library.
National Night Out began in 1984 as a way to promote strong partnerships among law enforcement, community organizations and neighborhoods. Last year, more than 38 million people in 17,000 communities gathered nationwide, according to the FBI San Diego Field Office.
Games like “dunk-a-cop,” raffles and giveaways can be expected, along with food vendors, music, resource booths, information presentations and station tours. The public can also meet specialty units such as K-9 teams, bomb/arson investigators, SWAT teams and Search and Rescue volunteers.
“It encourages community involvement,” said Oceanside police spokesperson Gina Avalos. “(Police and the public) normally interact in crisis, so this gives the opportunity to talk with us in a more relaxed, family-friendly environment.”
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Oceanside police will hold their event Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the department’s headquarters at 3855 Mission Ave. in Oceanside. The first 400 guests will receive free food vouchers while supplies last. Chula Vista police will host theirs the same night from 4 to 8 p.m. at police headquarters at 315 Fourth Ave. in Chula Vista. Attendees can expect games for kids and food, including paletas.
Escondido police will be at Grape Day Park from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, where attendees can bring their bikes and scooters for a “bike rodeo.” National City’s event, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Kimball Park, will include a water balloon battle. And El Cajon police will host activities at Renette Park from 5 to 8:30 p.m.
San Diego FBI agents will host information booths to share outreach and recruitment information at events around the county, including Oceanside, Escondido and Imperial Beach.
For more information on a location near you, visit your local law enforcement agency’s website or social media pages.
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