Oceanside Residents, City Join in National Night Out

Oceanside residents took to Libby Lake Park Tuesday night to participate in National Night Out, an annual program that encourages residents and city officials to join together in the fight against crime.

With a family-friendly program of activities, National Night Out is held on the first Tuesday of August each year, helping to unite communities locally. Last year, the campaign drew more than 37 million people worldwide to night-out programs.

“It’s an event to get the community together and offer them crime prevention resources that are available to them,” said Leticia Negrete with the . “It’s a chance for neighbors to meet each other and fight against violence and crime.”

Residents were invited to a free screening of the animated movie Despicable Me. A finger-printing service, arts and crafts for children, and local anti-crime clubs and vendors all were part of the anti-crime effort.

"It's a great way to meet local police officers and learn about ways to keep you and your neighbors safe," said Arthur Mendez of Vista who attended the event with his cousins whom he was visiting.  "The amount of people here goes to show that we care about safety and crime."

Officer David Paul with the Oceanside Police Department said the event served as an opportunity for the community, companies and the city to work together. “We bring in all these communities together and come up with solutions to prevent crime, but more importantly allow everyone to get to know their neighbors, have fun and enjoy these resources and benefits that are available without the fear of crime,” he said.

Serious crime is not unheard of in the area. In May, 16-year-old Fernando Felix Solano and 14-year-old Sandra Salgado were shot to death at Libby Lake Park. The sister of Solano told NBCSanDiego that the park needs more lights and police patrols.

That wish for more law enforcement presence was echoed by at least one area resident at Tuesday's event.

"Last year was the first time I heard of National Night Out from some co-workers so I decided to take the wife and kids this year," Roland Tsunoda said. "We live just down the street and although it's usually quiet, more police presence would be nice on the weekends."

Crime Prevention Specialist Dulci Fish is among the city personnel working to keep community crime at bay.

“I get out into the community and help teach residents safety, home security and how to deter crime at the home and in the community with programs like neighborhood watch,” Fish said.

Fish hopes the message is clear that city parks are not places for criminal activities and residents can take steps to help keep crime off the streets.

National Night Out is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, a nonprofit group that develops and promotes law enforcement-related crime and drug prevention programs.

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