Murrieta Police 'Night Out' a Hit with Residents

When Murrieta resident Carol Browning and her husband, Lance attended the Murrieta Police Department's inaugural "National Night Out" last year, they became inspired to join the Murrieta Fire Department's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

Several training sessions later, the Brownings are certified to help their community in the event of a disaster.

It's connections like these that were forged again Tuesday when the hosted its second "National Night Out" at The event is in its 29th year on a national level, and celebrates connecting communities with the public agencies that serve them.

"We love supporting the Police Department," Browning told Patch, as she and her husband chatted with Murrieta police Sgt. James Gruwell near his patrol motorcycle. "I think we have a very good group that works well together."

Murrieta police Sgt. Dave Baca was providing tours of the Department's Mobile Command Unit, which was purchased in 2005. The mobile unit is the size of an RV, and serves as a portable office. It is equipped with Internet connection, computers, TVs and other necessities.

"We can take this to critical situations," Baca said. "It's our dispatch center on wheels and our crisis negotiation hub."

Residents who turned out enjoyed music and jumpers for the kids. Free hot dogs and drinks were provided by Target, the sponsor of the "National Night Out."

Several vendors set up booths and offered public-safety related games and giveaways.

Cooperating agencies who also took time to mingle with residents included the Murrieta Fire Department, California Highway Patrol and U.S. Border Patrol.

A popular moment of the night occurred when a Mercy Air helicopter landed nearby. A line of children waited for their chance to take a seat in the aircraft.

Murrieta Valley High School freshman Zach Rumpilla, 14, was getting a close-up look at motorcycles used by Murrieta police and had already checked out the SWAT truck.

"I'm just interested in seeing all their stuff," said Zach, who came out to the event with his parents, Michelle and Dean.

The family moved to Murrieta nine years ago from Orange County.

"When they said it was a 'night out,' we thought that was cool," Michelle said.

Murrieta police Capt. Dennis Vrooman, who played a large role in organizing the event with Target, said the start time up of the three-hour event was moved up to 6 p.m. this year instead of 4 p.m. to avoid the heat.

While it was the end of one of the hottest days of the summer, the crowd continued to turn out as the sun went down.