SAN DIEGO — National Night Out is an opportunity for San Diego police and the community to get together. The event not only takes place in San Diego, but also across the country.
A variety of events Tuesday night included resource booths, raffles and a community walk with Police Chief David Nisleit.
Out at her first national night out at the Chula Vista Police Department, mother of two young girls Karina Salazar was first wary about going to public events after back to back national mass shootings.
“I didn’t want to come because it’s like, it’s a big event, but you know, we’re going to be safe because we have our law-enforcement with us,” Salazar said.
Officers in the South Bay join with law enforcement across the country for the family friendly event aimed at getting the community to see a lighter side of the badge
“It’s very important obviously with the tragic events that have taken place in the nation, we want to make sure that we put the best information out to the community,” said Lt. Dan Peak, with the Chula Vista Police Department.
Little kids put on police uniforms and posed with officers like eight-year-old Diego Perez.
“They take care of us and save us from bad guys,” Perez said.
The event brought Chula Vista City Council members and the mayor out to mark the annual event for crime prevention.
“We at the police department can’t fix what we are not aware of, so we need the community to work with us to provide us with information,” said Chula Vista Police Chief Roxana Kennedy.
Safety was Still in the back of many attendees’ minds.
“When I’m at an event I don’t think about it, but you can never know when it can happen,” said Marc Ferrau.
Tamara Ferrau, who is 23-years-old, hopes to become a police officer one day, but still is uneasy about feeling secure in her community after recent tragic events.
“It’s a little scary I’m not going to lie, but I mean I have to go to the store. It’s very important because it helps us reunite once again after all the tragic events that are happening around the world, just like a sense of hope and everything will change,” Ferrau said.
In the South Bay, Ramiro Hernandez said, “the more we have community with law enforcement, the better.”
Tuesday was Isabel Buelna’s first National Night Out event.
“I saw how everyone was out here, and I said I have to go. I am part of the community and I want to give back and I want to participate,” she said.
It is time when violence has shaken communities to stand strong, and a time to reflect and remind each other who we are as neighbors.
“I think when actions like that happen [mass shootings], I think we should make more of an effort to come out and not be afraid. We all need more smiles in our life. The more welcoming we are to the entire community, I think the better off we see and hopefully that does not happen in our neighborhood,” said Ramiro Hernandez.
The National Night Out events are designed to enhance the relationship between local communities and law enforcement and provide people with a chance to see the tools and tactics law enforcement use daily. Residents are also given crime safety tips, such as the importance of locking doors and turning on front porch lights.
National Night Out occurs annually on the first Tuesday of August.
