The annual event brings together safety personnel and neighbors.

By Mary O’KEEFE

Last year several communities canceled National Night Out (NNO) events due to COVID-19 restrictions. This year Burbank and La Crescenta have canceled/postponed their events as well; however, Glendale communities are sponsoring several events on Aug. 3 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The history of NNO stretches back to the 1970s in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A community watch volunteer who worked with his local police department sent out a monthly newsletter concerning crime in his neighborhood. He found that information gathering for his small area was not enough and began reaching out to other local community groups. In 1981, the volunteer established the National Association of Town Watch and reached out to communities around the country to empower neighbors to do the same. That movement grew and in 1984 NNO was launched with 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states taking part, according to natw.org.

The event’s primary goal is for neighbors to meet neighbors. In 2020 Glendale held its NNO event virtually but this year neighborhoods are signing up to participate.

        “[Glendale Police Department] is not planning anything. The [neighborhoods] chose to host events,” said Officer Sahak Nersesyan, GPD.

Police and fire representatives will attend the neighborhood events to show their support.

        “It is a way for neighbors to meet and greet,” Nersesyan said.

Residents cannot always depend on emergency responders arriving during major disasters, like earthquakes. It may take a while for help to get to local neighborhoods, which makes it even more important that residents know who lives next door.

        “You may not know your neighbor is a doctor or another neighbor is elderly and will need help, or another neighbor has small children,” Nersesyan said.

NNO highlights the neighborhood watch program and how it can benefit a community. It is also a way to introduce police officers and firefighters to the community. It is a way for residents to share concerns regarding police and fire protocols, as well as finding ways all entities can work together.

There are several neighborhoods that have already registered to host a NNO event. These include the 3000 block of Sycamore Avenue, 3000 block of Sierra Vista Avenue, Vickers and Sparr Boulevard, 1500 block of Sheridan Road, 2000 block of Buckingham Place, 2500 block of East Glenmore Boulevard, Moreno Drive and Royal Boulevard, 1300 block of North Isabel Street, 100 block of North Louise Street, 500 block of East Maple Street, 1200 block of Cottage Grove, 501 South Pacific Avenue, 300 block of East Randolph Street, 1600 block of West Mountain Street, 1300 block of Idlewood Road and 400 block of Davis Avenue.

To find out more about NNO in Glendale, visit https://tinyurl.com/ptxkn7pv.