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By Ann K. Williams
August 8 -- Hundreds
turned out to party down at
the police station Tuesday night
as they celebrated Santa Monica’s
lowest crime rates since 1956.
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Along with
11,000 other police forces
across the nation, the
Santa Monica Police Department
hosted its annual National
Night Out, bringing together
police officers, fire
fighters, City officials,
the Red Cross, the animal
shelter, local service
clubs and the community
to an open party featuring
live music, food and fun.
“This is a community
effort,” Police
Chief Timothy Jackman
told the crowd, referring
to crime rates that have
dropped to an all time
low since the Santa Monica
police started keeping
records in the mid 1950s.
Police
Chief Tim Jackman (Photos
by Ann K. Williams) |
“The only way we can
have a safe city is if all of
us work together.”
Jackman and Fire Chief Jim
Hone then gave honorary T-shirts
to City Manager P. Lamont Ewell,
City Council Member Bob Holbrook
and Mayor Richard Bloom.
“We’re not satisfied,”
Press Information Officer Alex
Padilla said later. “We
want to continue the relationship
we have with the community to
address crime and to keep Santa
Monica safe for everyone.
“It’s not about
me, it’s not about you,
it’s about all of us.”
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| Police
Explorer Steve Prado and
Detective McGruff –
“McGruff takes a bite
out of crime.” |
Cats
behind bars – Has
McGruff gone too far? Spring
them by contacting the Animal
Shelter |
That was about as sober as
it got, as smiling officers
and citizens enjoyed the lighthearted
fun of a dance contest, viewed
SWAT paraphernalia up close
and grooved to the Wonderelles,
a 1950s-style all girl singing
group.
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| Officer
Villegas and Nero have an
admirer |
Lion
Frank Schwengel is backed
by fellow Lions, Elks, Jaycees,
and Kiwanis members. |
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