Updated Aug 3, 5:21 p.m.–
Police and neighborhood groups across Citrus Heights are once again preparing for participation in the August 4th National Night Out, as part of a country-wide effort to prevent crime by connecting neighbors and building local partnerships between communities and police.
Called the “nation’s night out against crime,” Sgt. Michael Wells with the Citrus Heights Police Department said the evening is one where residents “are encouraged to join with their neighbors to have a neighborhood block party, ice cream social or other outdoor event to build neighborhood spirit and unity.”
The police sergeant said building strong neighborhoods is the “first defense against crime,” stating research shows crime goes down when neighbors know and look out for each other.
This year’s 32nd annual National Night Out will feature 13 different neighborhood watch gatherings in Citrus Heights, ranging in size from 25-400 people and will include BBQ’s, potlucks, ice cream socials and a parade, according to police.
The parade will kick off at the intersection of Indian River Drive and Clay Basket Drive and will continue on a three-quarter mile loop through nearby neighborhood streets, according to Greenback Wood Neighborhood Watch Community Coordinator Susan Jenkins. The volunteer coordinator said her neighborhood event and parade is set to begin at 7:30 p.m., and will feature various police vehicles, balloons, dogs, kids in wagons and free ice cream from a sponsored ice cream truck.
Jenkins said she was motivated to form a watch group seven years ago, after a drive-by shooting occurred in her neighborhood. After the incident, she started passing out fliers door-to-door in order to put together an “email tree” for regular communication among her neighbors.
Now, she sends out emails to over 200 residents in her neighborhood, updating them on crime trends, police alerts, local events and prevention tips. She said she now feels safer, and residents are more aware of how to respond to suspicious activity and help look out for one another.
Sgt. Wells said those interested in forming a neighborhood watch group can find several brochures on the police department’s web page, or may contact Larissa Wasilevsky, the Department’s neighborhood watch coordinator, at lwasilevsky@citrusheights.net.
Members of the Citrus Heights city council, police staff, and Police Chief Christopher Boyd will also be making appearances at the various Tuesday-night neighborhood events, according to Sgt. Wells.
[Find a local event: National Night Out event list for Citrus Heights]
Not wanting to miss out on the night’s activities, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District announced in a news release that it is taking a proactive effort to be involved in National Night Out this year, offering free lotion, spray and towelette repellent to neighborhood groups participating in the night’s events.
“We know many people will be outside for this event and we want to remind the public that personal protection against mosquitoes is critical in the prevention of West Nile virus,” said District Manager Gary Goodman.
As of August 3, a total of 42 mosquito samples and 27 dead birds have tested positive for West Nile virus in Sacramento County this year, according to Goodman.
[Also on The Sentinel: Citrus Heights police roll out new 2015 patrol SUVs ]
National Night Out began in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch, and now involves over 37 million people in more than 16,000 communities across America and Canada, according to organizers.
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