National Night Out Raises Crime Awareness

When passing all those smiling faces as you stroll down the street, you may not think Campbell is filled with crime. However Campbell has the highest crime index, compared to other cities in Santa Clara County.

Campbell’s crime index in 2010 was 260.7 in comparison with Los Gatos at 139.7, Santa Clara at 166.1 and San Jose at 232.2, according to the City Data website.

As part of a nationwide effort, neighborhood associations in Campbell are bringing community members together to prevent crime and increase awareness on August 7.

The Hamann Park Neighborhood Association (HPNA) is hosting their fourth annual National Night Out (NNO) event with a BBQ potluck.

Vince Navarra, co-president of the HPNA and a Campbell resident, said, “The event is designed to give crime and drugs a going away party.”

Navarra said that burglaries in San Jose are increasing. “We want to unite the people and make them more aware in the neighborhood,” he said.

The San Jose Police Department is locally sponsoring the event. Police officers, firefighters and city and park officials will be in attendance to raise awareness and answer questions. The HPNA will provide literature about keeping the community safe.

In addition to raising awareness, the night provides an opportunity for community members to talk about the neighborhood and any crime issues that should be discussed, said Navarra.

“Just by knowing your neighbors you know who belongs in the neighborhood and who doesn’t,” said Navarra. “Everybody has to play their part.”

The HPNA, including residents of Campbell and San Jose, will barbeque hotdogs and hamburgers and provide drinks. Community members are invited to bring a side dish to share with others.

On the other side of Campbell, the Pruneyard-Dry Creek Neighborhood Association (PCNA) is celebrating NNO with an ice cream social.

Crime hits close to home for the PCNA. Bob Fidrych, president of the association, said that last summer there was a crime spree, which affected about eight homes during a 4 to 5-month period.

“It raised awareness that neighbors need to be looking out for each other,” said Fidrych.

Although the PCNA isn’t even one year old, it has already held awareness events for the neighborhood. Neighbors have learned who patrols the area, how and when to get in touch about crime, how to train themselves and what classes are available.

“We kicked off our association with Mayor Jason Baker coming to talk to us, and the second meeting we had the police chief,” said Fidrych.

At its third meeting fifteen people signed up to receive training for the emergency response team. Emergency professionals, Campbell police and Campbell firefighters will be attendance at the ice cream social.

NNO is a crime and drug prevention event, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch. This year marks the 29^th anniversary of the event, with over 37 million people nationwide participating in last year’s event.

The aim of NNO is to increase crime and drug prevention awareness, community support for local anticrime programs and police-community engagement. In addition to educating the community and eliciting activism, the night stands for the fight against crime.

On August 7 people will collect in their local communities to raise awareness of crime and drugs. While NNO is celebrated locally, it is a national event with people participating in 50 states, various U.S. territories, Canada and military bases.

The HPNA BBQ potluck will be held on Tuesday, August 7 at 5:30 p.m. at the Marijane Hamann Park, 1227 N. Central Ave., San Jose.

The PCNA ice cream social will be held on Tuesday, August 7 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the San Jose Christian School, 1300 Sheffield Ave., Campbell.