By Lookout Staff

July 30, 2012 -- Santa Monica police, along with new Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks, will celebrate its ties to the community it protects next Tuesday, August 7, during National Night Out.

The event -- held in more than 15,000 communities in the U.S., its. territories, Canadian cities and military bases around the world -- is designed to involve Santa Monicans in local anticrime efforts, said Sgt. Richard Lewis, the Police Department spokesman..

"It strengthens neighborhood and police-community partnerships and sends a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back," Lewis said.

"National Night Out is an opportunity for the Santa Monica Police Department to honor the exceptional relationship our police and community share together," he added. 

The event -- which will take place at the Civic Center parking lot from 6 to 8 p.m. -- will showcase the department's personnel and equipment, Lewis said.

There will also be local bicycle vendors, Safe Kids, driving demonstrations, a giant inflatable fire engine slide, a rock climbing wall, carnival games, food trucks and other attractions.

There will be free food and non-alcoholic drinks. Free parking is available in the Civic Center Parking Structure located directly across the street from the Public Safety Building.

Some of the sponsors of this year’s event include the Santa Monica Police Officers’ Association, 7-Eleven, Ocean Park Pizza, La Monarcha Bakery, Santa Monica – UCLA and Chabad Santa Monica.

National Night Out is a nation-wide event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch to help prevent crime and foster a closer relationship to people and their public safety officers.