"National Night Out Against Crime" Block Party Tuesday

The Santa Monica Police Department and Chief Timothy Jackman are hosting a ‘National Night Out’ Against Crime block party in front of the Public Safety Facility located at 333 Olympic Drive on Tuesday, August 5th from 6 to 8 p.m.

Sponsored for the last 25 years by the National Association of Town Watch, ‘National Night Out’ is a nationwide event in which over 11,000 communities participate to promote community safety. Our goal is to build upon the good relationship our police and community share along with celebrating that partnership which makes the City of Santa Monica a safe place to live, work, and visit.

This year’s event will have a carnival theme and include a rock climbing wall, a dunk tank and carnival games with prizes. There will be live performances from a neighborhood rock band, a ballet folklorico dance recital, and a Police Activities League (PAL) martial arts demonstration.

In attendance will be McGruff the Crime Dog, Smokey Bear, the S.M.P.D. SWAT Team, the K-9 Unit, the Motor Unit, and the Mounted Patrol Unit along with other units and members from the Santa Monica Police and Fire Departments.

Everyone is invited; the first 500 persons to register at the event will receive a free button, balloon, flashlight, and an opportunity to win a raffle prize. Free food and drinks will be provided.

Free parking will be available in the new Civic Center Parking Structure located directly across the street from the Public Safety Building. Olympic Drive will be closed to traffic between 4th Street and Main Street so that everyone can join in the fun.

Some of the sponsors for this year’s event will include the Santa Monica Police Officers’ Association, Claude Short Auto Sales, 7-Eleven (Lincoln and Pico), Trader Joe’s, Famima (3rd Street Promenade), Ocean Park Pizza, and the Santa Monica Lion’s Club.

For more information, please call the S.M.P.D. Community Relations Unit at (310) 458-8474 or visit our website at www.santamonicapd.org.