Photos: National Night Out in RB

Dozens of people came out to Rancho Bernardo Community Park on Tuesday to celebrate National Night Out, the annual countrywide event to raise safety awareness and help neighbors get to know each other.

National Night Out is known for its block parties, with neighbors sharing food and fun just steps from their homes. This year, RB's Neighborhood Watch held a community party at the park with refreshments and games.

San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio, who represents RB in District 5, announced that his office had gotten funding to provide at least 25 new Neighborhood Watch signs for this community.

"Working together, we can make San Diego the safest city in the country," DeMaio said as he stood with McGruff the Crime Dog.

Rancho Bernardo has the largest Neighborhood Watch program in the city, with about 300 block captains and others in leadership positions, Director Valerie Brown said.

The primary community safety issues right now are "crimes of opportunity," Brown said, citing car break-ins and people leaving their doors unlocked. Some have had prescription medication stolen from their cars, she said. 

Brown also received a certificate of recognition from Robin Kaufman, RB's Honorary Mayor.

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