Multiple block parties and events are planned all over the Bay Area and the U.S. for National Night Out (NNO), a celebration held for communities and police departments. Usually held on the first Tuesday in August, NNO is a way to promote safety and for residents to get to know their neighbors. It’s a chance to bring police and community members together in a positive and calm environment.
There’s plenty of August 4 NNO celebrations in the region, including San Leandro, Union City, Newark and Milpitas. East Bay Regional Park District is having a celebration featuring police horses at Lake Chabot. Fremont Police Department (FPD) is having their celebration from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Hayward Police Department (HPD) is having their celebration from 6 to 9pm.
The NNO events are usually held by residents. Sometimes, the city, library, recreation departments or businesses like Starbucks sponsor and organize an event. The NNO celebrations are a range of small to large get-togethers.
FPD public affairs specialist Brittany Alfaro said during a phone interview that bigger events are being held at parks with people renting out food trucks, while small parties have potlucks.
HPD crime prevention specialist Alicia Romero pointed out during a phone interview that people are very generous with food. “They really like to feed us,” she said with a laugh. “It’s a very filling evening. There’s a lot of good food.”
In Fremont, around 85 NNO block parties are registered. The block parties are invitation-only, since one of the main goals of NNO is for people to get to know their neighbors. But there are bigger events that welcome anyone to attend. Fremont Library is hosting a NNO outside their building. There will be snacks, outdoor games, a DJ, dancing and a chance to race slot cars on a track made by the East Bay Slot Car Club.
Police officers from Hayward and Fremont team up with city employees and department volunteers to attend the watch parties. Both departments said they try to go to as many block parties as possible; some attend three, some up to six parties. Fire departments also attend the parties.
Romero said the HPD police chief, deputy chief, mayor, city council members and the Alameda County District Attorney’s office attend the block parties. She said there are an average of 35 NNO block parties in Hayward.
There’s always something fun planned at NNO block parties and events. Past activities include bounce houses, bead making for kids, raffles, trivia night, a prize wheel and cornhole. Romero said when Starbucks sponsored an NNO event, they had a BBQ and gave away free samples.
Alfaro said residents come to officers during block parties for a variety of reasons. “We want to hear about what’s important to the neighbors, whether that’s just curiosity about what it’s like to be in law enforcement or to police the city of Fremont, or whether it’s something specific that can help prevent crime in that neighborhood,” she said.
Romero said that they get people coming up to them about specific issues, neighborhood concerns and questions about the law. She also said people shouldn’t be afraid to approach a police officer, especially if they’re meeting one for the first time. “We want to show you that we’re there for you. We’re there for the community.”
Alfaro said this is a time for police and community members to be together, not be intimidated.
“If anybody is tentative or afraid, I really encourage them to strike up a conversation, take this opportunity, where we’ll be in your neighborhood, and just learn a little bit more about us and help us learn more about you,” she said. “The best way to do law enforcement in the city is to know the community, know the people who make up the community, and that’s why we do National Night Out.”
