Cops Rally Tuesday Across Southwest Riverside County For National Night Out

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Law enforcement personnel across Riverside County are out in force Tuesday night, giving residents a personalized feel for policing during National Night Out events.

Mixers teeming with free food, public safety displays and information about improving neighborhood security are planned at multiple venues Tuesday as part of the annual nationwide Night Out campaign.

In Murrieta, the police department is hosting a meet-and-greet in Town Square Park, at Kalmia Street and Jefferson Avenue, beginning at 5 p.m.

"See CHP, SWAT, Traffic Unit, Drone Team, police and fire Explorers," according to an agency statement. "This is an evening dedicated to strengthening community partnerships and celebrating the spirit of Murrieta."

At the same time, the Riverside County Sheriff's Department is hosting Night Out get-togethers at the Lake Elsinore, Moreno Valley and Southwest stations.

"It's an evening with local deputies, first responders and community partners," according to the Southwest Station's Facebook page. "Bring family and friends for a fun-filled night, featuring community resources, activities and an opportunity to connect with those who proudly serve our community."

The Southwest event is being held at the Ronald Reagan Sports Park in the 30800 block of Rancho Vista Road, Temecula. The Moreno Valley outing is convening at Celebration Park, 14965 Morgan Ave., while the Lake Elsinore event is being held at McVicker Park, 29355 McVicker Canyon Park Road.

The Menifee Police Department is turning its outing at Audie Murphy Ranch Sports Park at 30376 Lone Pine Drive into a benefit for youths in need, distributing new backpacks loaded with school supplies to attendees under 17 years old. There will additionally be free food and special unit demonstrations between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.

In Corona, officers are interacting with residents outside the Police Department Building at 730 Public Safety Way, beginning around 5 p.m. There will be simulations and hardware exhibitions.

In Hemet, activities will get underway at 6 p.m., when police officers will showcase their gear and interact with residents near the Amtrak station in the 200 block of North Harvard Street. Along with a variety of demonstrations by police officers and firefighters, children's games will be organized and free food served.

The city of Riverside and other municipal law enforcement agencies, mostly in the Coachella Valley, are delaying their nights out to October to await cooler weather.

"America's National Night Out Against Crime" was spearheaded by the nonprofit National Association of Town Watch, which organized the first outing in 1984.

Night Out events began with simple gestures, such as residents keeping their porch lights on from dusk to dawn in a demonstration of neighborhood unity and crime-fighting spirit.

Since that time, the concept has expanded to include the implementation of voluntary watch programs and face-to-face meetings to improve relations and communication between law enforcement and the community.