Police, neighbors mingle at National Night Out gatherings

By Erin Dostal, Dylan Scott

Published Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010 | 8:56 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2010 | 9:55 p.m.

At the Walnut Recreation Center on Tuesday, police and neighbors shared an evening of music and food as part of a nationwide effort to strengthen relations between law enforcement and the community.

Metro Police chatted with fathers and mothers while children took a crack at the dunk tank or grabbed a balloon from one of the officers.

Servicemen from Nellis Air Force Base painted young children’s faces in camouflage, and local businesses, churches and other organizations set up booths.

Metro hosted one of many National Night Out events, part of a campaign to prevent crime and drug abuse. More than 15,000 communities participated on Tuesday.

“All these kids and adults get to see the police in a whole different light,” said Gerald Cahoon, a Metro DARE anti-drug education officer. “It’s more friendly than adversarial.”

Another National Night Out gathering was held in Henderson, at the city’s downtown events plaza.

“The goal of the event is to encourage people to get involved,” said Henderson Police spokesman Keith Paul. “The best crime prevention is to know your neighbors.”

During the Henderson event, which lasted from 6 to 8: 30 p.m., volunteers passed out Popsicles and ice cream. People wandered the events plaza, listened to a live band and stopped at booths, picking up pamphlets and talking with local safety-based group organizers.

Back at the Walnut Recreation Center, children heading back to school in fall stepped into the gymnasium to pick up a new backpack, pencils, paper and other necessities while supplies lasted. Firefighters opened up their trucks’ doors to show curious youngsters how everything worked.

Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly took the stage to welcome the crowd, and a hip-hop group performed.

Throughout the park, the most striking sight was residents and police officers holding casual conversations, laughing and enjoying themselves.

“We’re just like them,” Cahoon said. “We have bills. We have problems, too.”

While children watched in awe as the Air Force members brought out a trained K-9, Ethan Ueckert, a Las Vegas Metro Explorer, commented about how the evening connected people with those who protect them.

“I’m just having fun,” he said before he handed another balloon to a young girl.

Henderson Police Chief Jutta Chambers said the event is important because it helps residents get to know their police officers.

“We need them to help us so we can help them,” Chambers said. “I think the main goal is meeting people.”

At the Henderson event, people could ride “the convincer,” a car seat with a seat belt attached to a slide with an abrupt stop simulating a 10 mph vehicle crash.

Stephanie Muniz, 20, of Boulder City, attended the event with her husband, two young children and her 6-month-old nephew. Muniz is a student of criminal justice at Everest College.

“Before I had kids, I didn’t really care what other people did with their lives,” Muniz said. Now as a mom, she said, she cares much more about fostering a safe community though education and involvement.

Samantha Willey, director of education and outreach for Safe House in Henderson, said her group has been participating in National Night Out for the past four years. Safe House is a 54-bed home for women who a victims of domestic violence.

Willey said that in recent years, Safe House’s beds have been consistently filled with women who need help.

“It’s a great thing for the community to know all their resources,” she said.

Not all of the event’s participating groups focused on public safety. Some, such as the American Lung Association, focused on health and wellness.

Novlette Mack, a tobacco education coordinator for the American Lung Association in Nevada, said her organization attended the event because she knew it was a place where they could reach young people and families.

“We want them to be aware of our programs,” Mack said. “We’re helping mostly adults and teens quit smoking.”

Mack said her organization, through a grant from the Southern Nevada Health District, offers free classes to help people quit smoking.

About 5,000 people attended National Night Out last year, Paul said. “We’re always hoping for a bigger event than last year,” he said.