Sentinel staff report–
Police and neighborhood groups across Citrus Heights are once again planning to participate in National Night Out, an annual crime-fighting effort held around the country on the first Tuesday in August.
Billed as “America’s night out against crime,” the effort seeks to prevent crime by connecting neighbors and building local partnerships between communities and police. National organizers say more than 16,000 communities will be involved this year, with local police reporting that a total of 18 neighborhood events are scheduled in Citrus Heights.
Due to concerns about safety and unsolicited vendors showing up in neighborhoods, Citrus Heights police do not release locations of the events in advance. However, past events have included BBQ’s, potlucks, ice cream socials, and even a small parade in one neighborhood.
According to Larissa Wasilevsky, the department’s neighborhood watch coordinator, members of the police department are planning to attend each neighborhood event on Tuesday night, which police have also done in prior years to show support and connect with residents. Members of the Citrus Heights city council also typically pair up with officers to visit the various events.
While some neighborhood groups prefer to keep their events private, others don’t mind some extra visitors.
Jayna Karpinski-Costa, president of the Sunrise Old Auburn Neighborhood Association, said a crime watch group in her area has hosted a National Night Out event each year, dating back to before Citrus Heights became a city. She said the event is open to the general public and will be held Tuesday night beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot of the Citrus Heights United Methodist Church, at 7833 Highland Ave.
The event will feature a hot dog dinner for $2.50, including salads and side dishes. She said mosquito repellent, along with neighborhood watch window decals will also be provided.
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The Woodmore Oaks Neighborhood Watch, which includes portions of Citrus Heights and Orangevale, also holds a large annual event in the 7-Eleven parking lot at 6840 Woodmore Oaks Drive. According to social media posts about this year’s event, activities are planned for 5:30-9:30 p.m. and will include a hula hoop contest, Elvis Show, games, cotton candy and more.
Most National Night Out events are planned by neighborhood watch groups around the country. As of last year, police reported a total of 68 neighborhood watch groups in Citrus Heights — and police hope more will form in the coming years as well.
“We think [neighborhood watch groups] are incredibly important because reducing crime and community safety really is a partnership between the police department and the community,” Lt. Dave Gutierrez previously told The Sentinel. “We definitely rely on the community to help us and be our eyes and ears when we don’t have officers in the area, so it’s important for community members to help reduce crime and take personal responsibility in their own neighborhoods.”
Those interested in forming a neighborhood watch group can find several brochures on the police department’s web page and can also contact CHPD’s watch coordinator, at 916-727-5879 or lwasilevsky@citrusheights.net.
National Night Out began in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch, and now involves over 38 million people across the United States and Canada, according to organizers.
Are you planning a National Night Out event? Post the event on The Sentinel’s Facebook page or community calendar.
