In an effort to strengthen relations between citizens and law enforcement agencies, communities across the Bay Area and the rest of the country are taking part in National Night Out events Tuesday evening.
Celebrated on the first Tuesday of August, the annual campaign brings law enforcement and residents together at neighborhood gatherings.
The program was established over 30 years ago with the goal of enhancing neighborhood camaraderie, according to the National Night Out website.
In Oakland, the Awesome Orchestra performed outside the Main Library, under the stars.
The San Francisco Police Department hosted 10 events around the city, held in each of its districts.
Kimberli Buckley was one of the organizers at the Concord event.
"So what we’re doing is promoting safety and neighborhood and inviting everybody in the community to come out. And that means everybody," Buckley said.
Local
The Vallejo Unified School District provided free vaccinations for school-age children at a resource fair at Emmanuel Temple Apostolic Church. Blood Centers of the Pacific ran a blood drive, and there were free health checks and diabetes screenings.
People ate, won prizes, and participated in activities at an event at Reentry Resource Courtyard in San Jose put on by the Santa Clara County Office of Reentry Services, the Probation Department and the Sheriff's Office.
"What we know is the most effective tool for the safety of community is when people get to know their neighbors and patrol officers on the beat," San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said.
Santa Cruz police held an open house at their headquarters, where they provided station tours, free cotton candy and demonstrations of police dogs and police motorcycle skills.
Local law enforcement agencies and neighbors in Martinez organized the fourth annual Alhambra Valley National Night Out celebration. Attendees listened to live country rock music, savored barbecue and enjoyed ice cream courtesy of a local Boy Scouts troop.
In Gilroy, the National Night Out event was postponed until October as the community continued to grieve from the deadly shooting at the Garlic Festival on July 28.
