On Tuesday, CVPD hosted its 36th annual National Night Out community/police event from 4 to 8 p.m.
“I want you to know what our goals are,” CVPD Chief Kennedy said in her opening speech at the event. “To heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, to generate support in participation in local crime programs, to strengthen neighborhood spirit and police/community partnerships and to send a message to criminals.”
Following her speech, Chief Kennedy and Mayor Salas symbolically turned on a porch light together, as Kennedy urged attendees to turn leave their porch lights on that night to “show criminals that Chula Vista residents are united in fighting crime.”
During the event, community members could walk around booths for different branches of law enforcement and local organizations, explore the inside of a SWAT vehicle, enjoy free food and take photos with cops.
Residents also could participate in CVPD’s, “dunk the criminal”, a dunk tank in which a community service officer was dressed in a prisoner costume.
“The more information and interaction we have with the community aside from the interaction we have with them on a daily basis, the more we can just create trust and build a bridge, the better off we all are,” Officer Eric Thunberg said.
Chula Vista resident Jose Perez, 39, brought his 7-year-old and 9-year-old sons to National Night Out. He said events like this are important because they give the community a better understanding of the branches of law enforcement that they usually don’t see, and give residents the opportunity to thank law enforcement members in person.
