August 9, 2007

Banding together

Community comes together for National Night Out

By Lorraine Gabbert
Staff Writer

The joyful shrieks of playful children filled the air as Almaden neighbors gathered to share food and community spirit during National Night Out: America’s Night Out Against Crime.

SJPD Sgt. Ed Zarate delighted children by giving them shield stickers. Featured: Jocelyn, Kristian, Yesenia, and Karla. Photos by Lorraine Gabbert

Throughout San Jose and across the country on Tuesday, Aug, 7 neighborhoods joined together to hold a going-away party for crime and drugs. These informal gatherings, held at homes, parks and churches provide residents with a relaxing evening out, and an opportunity to work together to protect their neighborhood.

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 over 34 million people from more than 10,000 communities nationwide.

Hoffman/Via Monte Neighborhood Action Coalition
Chris Hotts Park was the choice spot for the Hoffman/Via Monte Neighborhood Coalition’s celebration. In addition to the playground, families mingled during dinner around picnic tables and watched the movie “Shrek 2.”

“It’s really important for the neighborhood,” said Hoffman/Via Monte Neighborhood Action Coalition Co-Chair Laura Munguia, referring to recent incidents of graffiti tagging and drug-related issues. “It’s our effort to make everyone aware and become united against crime. Residents are sometimes scared to report incidents, but this night is an opportunity to remind everyone that if we stay united we can fight this and take our neighborhood back.”

“The San Jose Police Department, myself and our staff are committed to helping you with the progress you’ve made,” Capt. David Cavallaro told the crowd. “I want to encourage all of you to continue being involved with your community and report problems to the police.”

Showing their support, civic representatives from the mayor’s office, city council and police force joined in the celebration, including Councilmember Nancy Pyle, Jeff Janssen, senior policy advisor of Government Affairs, and Police Chief Rob Davis. Southern Division Police Captain David Cavallaro and a mounted unit also paid a visit.

“You are the eyes and ears of this community,” said Marta Dominguez, community activity worker. “Say no to crime and continue keeping your neighborhood safe and report problems to the police.”

Flocked by children, visiting police officers passed out shield-shaped stickers to the crowd. “We came out here to meet the people,” said Officer Kevin Clark. “It’s a chance to have a good time together.”

“We want people to know that we’re here for them and that we’re not scary,” added Patrol Sgt. Ed Zarate. “We can speak with residents and open avenues for communication.” Most of all, Zarate saw this as a chance for neighbors to network. “This is about neighbors meeting neighbors,” he said. “It does 1,000 times what we can do in reporting crime. Now they know each other, and can talk about what’s going on around their houses and community.”

The Albornoc family attended for more than food and friendship. “We like to help the community whenever we can,” said Freddy Albornoc. “The police do a good job.” The family drew Pyle’s personal attention, and she was rewarded when Abegail Albornoc offered her a cookie.

“We want to help neighborhoods build communities,” said Jeff Janssen, with the Mayor’s office. “We want to see what’s going on in each neighborhood around the city and make sure we’re doing everything we can to support them in their efforts.” (Pictured L to R: Sunrise Valley Neighborhood Association President Michael Absher, Jeff Janssen with the mayor’s office, Councilmember Nancy Pyle, and Perry Absher). Photos by Lorraine Gabbert

“I think that National Night Out is one of the most important events in San Jose,” said Pyle. “Just by being here, each of us is sending a strong message to people who want to cause trouble in this neighborhood; a message that crime will not be tolerated. Burglars are afraid to break into a home when they suspect someone may call the police, and drug dealers will not come out in the open when there is a risk of being arrested.”

Pyle noted that Hoffman/Via Monte Neighborhood Action Coalition (NAC) has made enormous progress improving their community. “I know many of you are safer because of their efforts,” she said. “Together, residents, property owners and the city have reduced blight, cleaned up litter and graffiti, lowered crime rates, built a new park and created a new neighborhood center.”

Cavallaro echoed her words. “The San Jose Police Department, myself and our staff are committed to helping you with the progress you’ve made,” he said. “But we can not afford to relax. I want to encourage all of you to continue being involved with your community and report problems to the police.”

Sunrise Valley Neighborhood Association
The Sunrise Valley Neighborhood Association celebrated NNO at Sunrise Valley Baptist Church with a spaghetti and meatball dinner. While children played with balloon animals, tossed balls and colored on giant sheets of paper, adults learned more about safety and neighborhood crime fighting.

“We’re not just here so my wife doesn’t have to cook,” joked resident Ken Hankoff. “We came to meet neighbors and learn about home security.”

Jordan shows off a balloon duck and dog hat.

Ann Rushmeyer and Jonell Sleman consider it important to get involved. “This should be held more than once a year,” stated Sleman, “especially when there is an issue.” When a neighbor posted a billboard saying that he’d been robbed, the women circulated information to raise awareness in their community. Both said they would appreciate having more police on the streets for prevention.

For residents Giny Yandow and David Schick, NNO is about neighbors getting to know each other and forming a relationship with police. Schick believes that by participating in Neighborhood Watch, as well as NNO, his neighborhood has taken important steps in preventing crime.

Sunrise Valley Neighborhood Association President Michael Absher considers getting the neighborhood together and opening lines of communication essential for the community’s safety.

Janssen and Pyle, who attended the event, made sure residents knew they shared their concerns. “We want to help neighborhoods build communities,” said Janssen. “We want to see what’s going on in each neighborhood around the city and make sure we’re doing everything we can to support them in their efforts.”

“We’ve had a high rate of crime recently,” Andi Absher said, “and it’s important to have representatives from the mayor’s office and city council here. It shows they care and when they see this turnout--of 175 to 200 people--they know we’re serious about making our neighborhood safer and that we need their support.”

Register your neighborhood for National night Out online at www.SJPD.org or by phone with SJPD Crime Prevention at: (408) 277-4133).