By Khalida Sarwari
West Valley residents are invited to come and shoot the breeze with their local public safety officers during National Night Out on Aug. 2.
National Night Out is a nationwide crime and drug prevention event that is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. Authorities describe it as a community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.
There are two events scheduled for the West Valley region: in front of the West Valley Fire Station at 19800 Cox Ave. in Saratoga and at the Los Gatos Fire Station at 306 University Ave. in Los Gatos. Both are from 6 to 8 p.m.
Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department officers and Santa Clara County Fire Department firefighters will make an appearance at the sites to share refreshments and discussions with residents.
After being a participant in National Night Out events for many years, the county fire department began hosting events in a few cities throughout its jurisdiction last year, said department spokeswoman Stephanie Stuehler.
“The goal was to invite residents out to meet their neighbors, learn more about their local fire department and find out what resources are available to them,” she said.
The department is partnering with local law enforcement agencies once again this year, she said.
One goal of National Night Out this year, said Sgt. James Jensen, a spokesman for the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office, is to rebuild the community’s trust in law enforcement. It’s a chance, he said, for residents to meet deputies and officers in person when they’re off duty and learn about their equipment and the work they do. It’s important especially amid the anti-police sentiment that crescendoed in Dallas earlier this month with the massacre of five police officers, he said.
“I think now this is a huge timing for more community service events such as National Night Out, and I think people that have those feelings should come out and meet the deputies to hopefully resolve some of those issues and misunderstandings,” said Jensen.
This is the 33rd year for National Night Out..
For more information, visit sccfd.org ornatw.org.
Link:
Los Gatos, Saratoga: Residents to participate in National Night Out
