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San Diego police hosting ‘Night Out’ fun

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San Diego Police Department will once again host a free National Night Out event at Northeastern Division’s headquarters in Rancho Penasquitos.

Everyone within the division’s 110 square mile coverage area, which includes Rancho Bernardo, is invited.

Northeastern’s third annual event is set for 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4. It will be held in the parking lot between the Rancho Penasquitos Library and the police station at 13396 Salmon River Road.

The department’s event is held in conjunction with the 32nd annual National Night Out, which is a way for police and community programs, such as Neighborhood Watch, to meet with residents and share safety information. It is also a way for neighbors to meet, with the idea that they might watch out for one another and call for help if something looks amiss in their neighborhoods.

It started in 1984 and has grown to attract more than 37 million people in thousands of communities throughout North America. It is always held on the first Tuesday in August and residents are asked to lock their doors, turn on their outside lights and spend the evening getting to know their neighbors.

Community Relations Officer Shannah Oliveras said if any neighborhood block parties are being planned, organizers can let her know and if available, a patrol officer will stop by to chat with residents. Send information to her at soliveras@pd.sandiego.gov. Due to the division’s large geographic area, it is impossible for officers to stop by each block party, which is why a big community-wide event is also being held at the police station.

The free event is designed to increase awareness of crime and drug prevention, generate support for anti-crime programs, plus strengthen neighborhood spirit and police/community partnerships.

Oliveras said San Diego Project Heartbeat will give free CPR and AED basic training, San Diego Fire-Rescue will display its vehicles and there will be an old paddy wagon and other vintage police vehicles on loan from the San Diego Police Museum. McGruff the Crime Dog will meet with youngsters, who can have an electronic record of their fingerprints and photo taken for an identification card that will be given to parents in case the youngsters are ever lost.

There will also be a K-9 demonstration and SWAT will bring its vehicles and display its equipment. Booths will feature safety and crime prevention information and there will be narcotics items displayed so parents know what drug paraphernalia looks like in case they see it at home or in their kids’ backpacks.

Oliveras said Target has once again partnered with the police on the event, so there will be free refreshments and other goodies offered, along with children’s games and musical entertainment. City Councilmen Mark Kersey and Chris Cate will also be at the event.

A large crowd is expected over the two hours. Oliveras said last year there was around 400 attendees, double the number who attended in 2013, when Northeastern Division held its event for the first time.

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