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Turlock neighborhoods and public safety personnel joined together and participated in a national program designed to strengthen the community/public safety relationship as both fight to prevent crime together.
On Tuesday, August 3, 2010, from 5:30pm to 9:00pm, neighborhoods throughout Turlock were invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the “27th Annual National Night Out” (NNO) crime and drug prevention event. National Night Out, which is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) and co-sponsored locally by the Turlock Police Department, will involve over 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world. In all, over 36 million people are expected to participate in “America’s Night Out Against Crime”.
National Night Out is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for local anticrime efforts, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.
In 2009, the City of Turlock won a “Rookie of the Year” award from the National Association of Town Watch for an exceptional first year participation in the program. Turlock residents sponsored 8 block parties and received visits from Turlock Police officers, Turlock Fire staff, City Officials, McGruff the Crime Dog and Golden State Bloodhound Search & Rescue K-9 Moonshine.This 2010 year, and Turlock’s second year of participating in National Night Out, 22 neighborhood parties registered to schedule visits from public safety personnel, special guests presenting gifts, and to receive a certificate of participation.
Participants included Mayor John Lazar, Chief of Police Gary Hampton, Police Command Staff, SWAT, Motorcycle Officers, Bike Unit, Fire Department, Search & Rescue K-9 Moonshine, McGruff, Explorers, VIPS, Explorers, Cadets, TID, CSUS Police, Atwater & Turlock Target Volunteers, Cold Stone Creamery
The goal for National Night Out 2010 was for police and fire personnel to visit each of the registered parties and interact with the public. Several parties asked for discussions on a specific topic such as: commitment to Public Safety, importance of Neighborhood Watch, strengthening neighborhood communication and unity, importance of neighborhood communication and reporting suspicious activity to each other, and the status of new Public Safety Facility.
The mission of National Night Out 2010 was: heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for local anti-crime programs, such as neighborhood watch, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organizing and fighting back, and expand the neighborhood watch program throughout Turlock.
If you are interested in participating in next year’s National Night Out, try getting on a reminder list by contacting Crime Prevention Officer Taryn Weatherford at (209) 656-3153.
In conjunction with National Night Out members of the Turlock Police Department cordially invite Turlock residents to attend their 5th Annual Open House celebration. This event will be held on Saturday August 7, 2010 from 10am – 2pm at 900 N. Palm St, Turlock. Police Chief Hampton and his staff will be providing information about your police department, crime prevention and public safety. Tours of the police facility will be available along with several other activities for the entire family. Hot dogs and drinks will be provided.
