National Night Out: Residents, Officers Chill Out
The Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Department and many more organizations participated in the 28th Annual National Night Out
By Justin Chapman, La Cañada-Flintridge Patch, 8/3/2011
Hundreds turned out Tuesday for the 28th annual National Night Out, which is designed to bring community members and law enforcement official together in an informal setting.Local residents hung out and got to know the Foothills' hardworking police officers and firefighters.
Check back on Patch later today for a full story and photo gallery.
Hundreds Attend Crescenta Valley's National Night Out
Several local law enforcement agencies and officials were on hand Tuesday evening to show and talk about the equipment they use and explain how area residents can help prevent crime in their neighborhoods.
By Justin Chapman, La Cañada-Flintridge Patch, 8/3/2011
Hosted by the LA County Sheriff's Department and the National Neighborhood Watch Association, the event was designed to strengthen the relationship between safety officials and the community.
The hosted two local events for the fourth year in a row, in conjunction with the National Neighborhood Watch Association. One took place in the parking lot at the in La Canada and the other in the parking lot at in La Crescenta. In Montrose, the Sycamore Woods Neighborhood Watch, run by Julia Leeper, raffled off prizes to about a dozen families and individuals at the Twelve Oaks Lodge.
Various organizations set up booths in the parking lots to show the community the equipment they use, fingerprint kids, provide information about preventing crime, and allow residents to ask questions about how to keep their families and property safe from criminals.
In addition to Crescenta Valley Sheriff's officials, participants included LASD Deputy Explorers and Volunteers, the California Highway Patrol, the Fire Department, several Boy Scout troops, the Search and Rescue Team, Crescenta Valley C.E.R.T., the Crescenta Valley Armenian Community Center, and the Drug and Alcohol Prevention Coalition, among others.
Don't Hesitate to Call the Cops
Capt. David Silversparre said the best way to help law enforcement officials is to call them when something happens or if something doesn't look right.
"Basically we want the community to be our eyes and ears," said Silversparre.
"Call us when you see something suspicious, and in each and every case our deputies will respond. This event is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for local crime fighting efforts, and get the community involved, which I feel is extremely important. We need to work together."
Need to Work Together
Deputy Jorge Valdivia said that while crime rates fluctuate, the area experiences constant property crime, which is one of the biggest issues local law enforcement is dealing with in the La Canada, La Crescenta, and Montrose areas. He and Silversparre urged residents to take precautions in order to prevent becoming a victim of property crime.
"Every year we try to get the word out about these events and make them better," said Deputy Jorge Valdivia. "The idea is to show that the community and safety officials are working together to send the message that this is a community that takes care of itself and basically let the criminals know that they're not welcome here."
Local residents such as Shannon Mumenthaler, who brought her infant son to check out the festivities, said that she would like to see law enforcement officials host more public outreach events such as this one.
"It makes you feel closer to your community and knowing who's going to come out if you do have an emergency," said Mumenthaler. "I think it's also important for our kids to understand what their jobs are, to help them know who to reach out to when something happens."
