Communities invited to take part Tuesday in National Night Out

National Night Out, an annual community-building campaign that promotes law enforcement-neighborhood partnerships, takes place on Tuesday, Aug. 3 in communities all over America. In San Diego County, the event will be marked in various ways by different municipalities.

The event originally aimed to bring people outdoors in the evening to meet their neighbors and create a community presence as a night watch against crime. Some neighborhoods now hold potlucks and block parties; family-friendly activities and games are usually available. City governments often contribute information on community resources and services. Police, sheriff’s and fire departments have taken on a larger presence in the events and often bring equipment and safety demonstrations. Visit natw.org.

To see whether and how your city or community is taking part, check with your police or sheriff’s department or local government. Here is a partial listing of participating communities:

Carlsbad — Neighborhoods were asked to register their block parties, potlucks or other outdoor gatherings with the Carlsbad Police Department by Thursday, July 29. Members of the police and fire departments are scheduling visits between 5:30 and 9 p.m.
Escondido — 5 to 8 p.m. at the East Valley Community Center, 2245 E. Valley Parkway, sponsored by the city Police Department and Escondido COMPACT. Contests, entertainment, public safety demonstrations and more. Contact (760) 839-4515 or email cplancarte@educationcompact.org.
La Mesa — From 6 to 8 p.m., residents are asked to spend the evening outside with neighbors and police; some neighborhoods have scheduled block parties and potlucks. Members of the La Mesa Police Department and city officials will visit all groups that have registered with the department to share information and answer questions. Register with Crime Prevention Specialist Claudia Ortega at (619) 667-7545 or cortega@cityoflamesa.us.
National City — Virtual celebration this year from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Register at https://bit.ly/3C0QUdG. Registration is limited to 30 participants, who will be entered into a raffle for a bicycle, a Blink outdoor security camera, an Echo “DOT” home voice control unit, and a Blink indoor security camera, among other prizes.
San Diego — From 7 to 10 p.m., residents are asked to lock their doors, turn on outside porch lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and police. For questions on National Night Out, please contact the SDPD area station in your neighborhood and ask to talk to the Community Relations Officer.

San Diego County sheriff’s stations and substations will be staffing events at these locations:

• Noon to 3 p.m.: North Coastal Station, Moonlight Beach, Fourth and B streets, Encinitas (includes Del Mar and Solana Beach)
• 3 to 5 p.m.: Valley Center Substation, Valley Center Middle School, 28202 Lake Wohlford Road
• 4 to 6 p.m.: San Marcos Station, 182 Santar Place
• 4 to 6 p.m.: Vista Station, Vista City Hall, 200 Civic Center Drive
• 4 to 7 p.m.: Ramona Substation, Ramona Library parking lot, 1275 Main St.
• 4:30 to 7 p.m.: Poway Station, 13100 Bowron Road
• 5 to 7 p.m.: Imperial Beach Substation, Veterans Park, 1075 Eighth St.
• 5 to 7:30 p.m.: Alpine Station, 2751 Alpine Blvd.; Fallbrook Substation, 388 E. Alvarado St.
• 5 to 8 p.m.: Lemon Grove Station, Sprouts parking lot, 3275 Lemon Grove Ave.; Rancho San Diego Station, Spring Valley Community Center, 8735 Jamacha Blvd., Spring Valley; Santee Station and Lakeside Substation, Santee Trolley Square, 9868 Mission Gorge Road