By Khalida Sarwari
Armed with hot dog buns and soda cans, Campbell residents are expected to take to the streets in a stance against crime during the city’s annual National Night Out on Aug. 7.
The city’s neighborhood associations, in coordination with the Campbell and San Jose police departments, will hold evening events and social gatherings in neighborhoods throughout Campbell.
According to authorities, National Night Out heightens crime and drug prevention awareness, generates support for, and participation in, local crime prevention efforts and conveys to criminals that neighborhoods are unified.
The ultimate goal of National Night Out, said Vince Navarra, a Campbell resident and co-president of the Hamann Park Neighborhood Association, is crime and drug prevention by strengthening neighborhood unity and partnerships with police.
“It’s an effort to unify the community to fight crime and be more connected and network with police and law enforcement,” Navarra said.
Similar to last year, the Hamann Park Neighborhood Association will celebrate National Night Out with a barbecue potluck, said Navarra. The HPNA covers residents from both Campbell and San Jose and its boundaries are Moorpark Avenue to the north, Hamilton Avenue to the south, Highway 17 to the south and S. Winchester Boulevard to the west.
At the event, there will be hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks, children’s activities and music. Local police officers, firefighters and city officials are expected to attend.
The event is expected to take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Marijane Hamann Park, 1227 N. Central Ave. in San Jose.
The Pruneyard-Dry Creek Neighborhood Association, consisting of residents of homes from Bascom Avenue to Leigh Avenue and Hamilton Avenue to Dry Creek Road, will celebrate National Night Out with a free outdoor ice cream social event.
Local firefighters and police officers, along with Campbell leaders, are scheduled to attend, according to Bob Fidrych, president of the association.
The event will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the San Jose Christian School, 1300 Sheffield Ave. in Campbell.
National Night Out is a crime and drug prevention event that is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. This year marks the 29th anniversary of the event.
