August 10, 2007

Evergreen community celebrates National Night Out

Neighborhood groups fight crime through bonding

By Christina Brown
Times Intern

Youth group volunteers pose for a picture during National Night Out at Most Holy Trinity Church on Nassau Drive on August 7. Photos by Dan Miranda

At 50 locations throughout San Jose and in 11,000 communities across the United States, neighbors came together to bond for National Night Out (NNO) on August 7.

The 24-year-old event, “America’s Night Out Against Crime,” consists of local community groups and police putting together everything from block parties to information fairs for their community.

Evergreen also got in on the act, as neighbors and friends held an event at Most Holy Trinity Church on Nassau Drive. Members of the Lanai/Cunningham, Tully/Ocala and King/Ocala neighborhood associations put on an event for the families in the community with food, two jump houses, and a DJ, while groups also distributed safety information to attendees.

San Jose Vice Mayor Dave Cortese visited the event with three of his staff members and mingled with neighbors at the event.

Jerome Jimenez, also known as DJ Romulus, plays music during National Night Out at Most Holy Trinity Church on Nassau Drive on August 7.

“Here people get to know the neighborhood,” Cortese said. “People can exchange information about reducing crime and help children see there are safe places and safe people.”

Michelle Pelayo, a Cortese staff member, said she was excited to be back at the event for the second year.

“This is an opportunity for kids to feel safe,” she said, “and to know the city is there to help them.”

There was also a representative from the Hillview Branch Library who brought books, magazines and fliers about library events. San Jose City College gave out free popcorn, and attendees received a free t-shirt that read, “Don’t Fall Under Pressure – Say No To Drugs.”

Dury Campos from the Underage Drinking Project brought packets about projects the group is working on, and Paul Gonzalez from the Anti-Graffiti & Litter Program brought graffiti-removing supplies and information.

Sergio Mendoza, 16, does a skateboard trick during National Night Out at Most Holy Trinity Church on Tuesday, August 7. Photos by Dan Miranda

Further up in the Evergreen hills near Ruby Road, members of the Upper Montecito Neighborhood Watch held their annual NNO block party on Montecito Drive. Karen Teuthorn, block captain for the Neighborhood Watch program, helped put on the event, which drew about 60 people for a potluck dinner and some jump house fun for the children.

Dorothy Robertson lives two hours away but has relatives on the street and was excited to come again this year.

“More of the streets should do this,” she said. “Last year the entire police department came by.”

One of several police officers stopped by this year, including Mike Evans, who mingled with many of the neighbors.

“[NNO] is a great opportunity for people to get out to meet their neighbors and police and talk about issues, and it’s nice to have positive contact with the police,” he said.

National Night Out was started by the National Association of Town Watch’s executive director Matt Peskin in 1984 as a way to fight crime through community involvement.