August 7, 2008

Every Body Out

National Night Out: Residents don’t let rain, crime keep them indoors

By Joe Proudman
Staff Writer

The residents of Almaden’s Hoffman-Via Monte neighborhood aren’t going to let crime ruin their neighborhood, and they surely weren’t going to let the threat of rain ruin their National Night Out, which saw a record number of attendees.

A group of local dancers waits to entertain the crowd at the Hoffman-Via Monte National Night Out event. Photos by Joe Proudman

“They’re all really enjoying it,” said Community Activity Director Monica Limas. “This is the first time we’ve had such great attendance. It’s great to see little ones, middle age, people are dancing, people are talking, people are just really enjoying themselves,” Limas added.

The Hoffman-Via Monte event has been part of the national gala since 2001, hosted by the local Neighborhood Alliance Coalition or NAC and the Strong Neighborhood Initiative or SNI Team.

National Night Out is designed to bring neighborhoods across America together and raise awareness of crimes and drugs in the area. The program is in its 25th year of block parties, cookouts, games and music all aimed at raising community awareness.

Sponsored nationally by the National Association of Town Watch, and locally by the San Jose Police Department, the annual National Night Out (NNO) strengthens police-community partnerships and sends a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organizing and fighting back. Since 1984, NNO has grown to involve more than 35 million people from more than 10,000 communities.

“We’re providing resources,” said NAC co-chair Laura Munguia. “We’re helping them build a stronger sense of community by getting them to know their neighborhood.

“The purpose of National Night Out is so we can gather here together against crime.”

This year’s family event featured everything from a cakewalk to face painting to finger printing for young kids.
Of the several booths that filled the parking lot next to Corner-stone Community Church, one was for the newly forming Neighborhood Watch program.

“We’re trying to build a network among the neighbors,” said Ron Keating, who actually resides in another neighborhood and volunteered for this event. “I feel safe in my neighborhood; I want these people to feel safe in theirs too.”

Mellisa Agraz, 5, smiles after getting finger printed at National Night Out, as her sister Alexandra Agraz, 10, and her mom Beatris Agraz look on. Photo by Joe Proudman

The goal of the Neighborhood Watch program is to create a system in which neighbors can rely on each to watch for crime or suspicious characters and communicate better among each other.

On slate to attend the annual event was San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed and Councilmember Nancy Pyle, but due to a longer than expected City Council meeting, Pyle was the only one able to be there.

The District 10 council member briefly made an appearance that was greeted by a light rain, and spoke to the crowd citing the large attendance and activism in the community.

“I love it,” Pyle said of the turnout. “Of all the SNIs of the city, this one has the best attendance of all.”

Alicia Valdez has lived in the area off and on for the past 20 years, and has four kids ranging in ages from 1 to 6 years old. She said in the past the Hoffman-Via Monte area was not safe.

“I think it’s actually good for the neighborhood because it used to be a whole lot worse and now it’s actually getting better,” Valdez said. “Really, you didn’t want to be outside, you wanted to keep to yourself.”