Crime & Safety

National Night Out Promotes Safety and Fun

The Santa Monica Police Department's annual event unites the community with free food, entertainment and crime prevention.

Children enclosed in large, plastic balls racing each other across a pool. A blues band laying down some classics and the smell of In N’ Out hamburgers wafting from a nearby truck were just some of the sights and sounds at Santa Monica’s 30th Annual National Night Out Tuesday night.

Crime prevention and safety are key themes for the annual event, but more important is the chance for law enforcement to connect with the community, said SMPD Capt. Dan Salerno.

“We want to showcase what we do and let the community interact with us,” said Balerno. “We’re people too and we’re here to help.”

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The SMPD transformed the Civic Center parking lot into a summer carnival for the community. Music from the Santa Monica High School Marching band and a DJ also provided entertainment as diverse as those in attendance.

“You don’t want to hear me talk,” said SMPD Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks at the start of the event. “We’re here to eat, dance and have a good time.”

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Seabrooks did just that, sharing the dance floor with children and Santa Monica’s Pacific Park purple octopus before having a hot dog from Santa Monica fire fighters behind the grill.

Because of a close relationship with the police department, the SMFD joins in on the event every year.

“Prevention starts by bringing the community together,” said Fire Chief Scott Ferguson. “I can’t think of a better way to this than with events like these.


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