Citizens from across California are being encouraged to visit a local National Night Out event tomorrow night. The annual tradition, which is held on the first Tuesday of every August, is designed to give local citizens the chance to get to know their local law enforcement personnel so that they’ll be more apt to develop a rapport and a trust between each other.
A new report outlines how the event is taking shape in the Santa Cruz County area. Numerous locales will play host to members of the California Highway Patrol, county sheriffs, and the Capitola and Watsonville PD’s. The various events on hand in that locality are indicative of what’s going on throughout the state and the entire country.
Families can take part in a number of activities designed to show the softer side of police officials. Although some activities are related to law enforcement itself, such as getting to see the inside of a police car or watching how a K-9 officer conducts its duties, many others are simply there to allow for families to have a good time. Face painting stations and barbecue is the norm.
Citizens are encouraged to speak with officers and to ask any questions they may have about law enforcement. The thought is that, by getting to know officers personally, any imagined barriers to interaction will be removed.