Over 900 residents participated in 24 registered citywide gatherings Tuesday
It was all about getting out and engaging with the community Tuesday as National Night Out was celebrated across the nation Tuesday, including throughout the city of Folsom as residents came together in grand fashion with in their respective neighborhoods or visited those nearby where they partook in a number of various activities and most importantly, got the opportunity to engage with first responders and members of city leadership.
Celebrating its 41st year, National Night Out is a nationwide annual campaign that was created as an attempt to deter crime by bringing members of the community together. Each year, the event welcomes positive interactions between police and fire personnel, government leaders from the city, county and state levels and the community at large.
Throughout the city of Folsom, residents gathered in block party fashion, some in large groups, some smaller, all enjoying plenty of pot-luck style foods, drinks and conversations amongst one another. The event was welcomed by all ages, at many of the sites across the city there was a variety of activities and features for youngsters, from face painting to bounce houses and everything in between.
“We look forward to National Night Out each year,” Folsom Police Chief Rick Hillman told Folsom Times. The Folsom Police Department were making the rounds to various neighborhood gatherings in. “It’s a fun way to meet your neighbors while spending some time with Folsom’s police and fire staff.”
Folsom saw great growth in interest for the event, with 24 different neighborhood gatherings registering this year, keeping members of the Folsom Police and Fire Departments busy, along with City Council members, city management and more, all of which made their rounds to visit the many festive gatherings and engage with the community after first gathering at the Mount Olive Lutheran Church, which serves up a heart dinner for first responders, city leaders, the many volunteers and members of the media before hitting the streets.
“National Night Out is one of my favorite events,” said Rosario Rodriguez, who was participating in her last National Night Out in the role of a City Council member as she takes office as Sacramento County Supervisor ahead. “It’s a great opportunity to get to know personnel from your local Fire and Police Departments and City Staff.”
At some locations treats, such as ice cream, snow cones we’re being served. Many fired up the grills, crockpots and more to set up buffets of great grub to in a potluck style way. It’s easy to say by the end of the night, Folsom’s first responders were not going to bed hungry as they were well fed by the community.
Officers from Hillman’s force was busy engaging in conversation with many youngers at the various stops, handing out souvenir badges and helping them check out police cruisers and motorcycles that were parked and displayed while they made their visits.
Amidst the sea of blue Tuesday night there was also a sea of red as the Folsom Fire Department made the rounds as well. Various fire engines, medic units and other apparatus trekked through the city along with police. The teams consisted of five different groups that made their way to 15 different registered gatherings throughout the evening on both the south and north sides of Highway 50.
“It promotes community partnerships in neighborhoods across the City of Folsom,” explained Folsom Fire Chief Ken Cusano when asked about the importance of National Night Out. “The event focuses on the community and improving area relationships to make our neighborhoods safer. The Fire Department joins our Folsom Police Department partners in celebrating public safety within the community.” Folsom Times photo gallery by Bill Sullivan (click image to enlarge.)
Folsom Times photos by Bill Sullivan & Adam Frick. Click image to enlarge
Tuesday night wasn’t just for human interaction. There was plenty of friendly four legged visitors as well throughout the city. As Folsom is unique in having its equestrian mounted officers and let’s not forget the famed therapy pups such as Liberty from the Folsom Police Department along with Blitz, the Folsom Fire Department’s official therapy dog that are always a hit with residents along with it’s K-9 officers.
“I always look forward to connecting with our residents at such a fun event. As a councilmember I love any opportunities to hear from you and talk through the things you so love much about living in folsom. I also enjoy hearing about your vision and what you think we can do better,” said City Council Member Anna Rohrbough who was visiting multiple gatherings as well. “Community events like this are an excellent way for you to connect with us as your city elected but more importantly to engage with your neighbors and our public safety departments.”
Among the registered events Tuesday night well over 900 residents registered or participated in the various events That total doesn’t include the many unregistered events that take place on this night each year among neighbors. One of the largest events was on Heron Drive in Folsom Ranch where a gathering welcomed over 150 guests throughout the evening in a part of the city that continues to grow in population. The event had a character artist on hand and was serving snow cones, popcorn and had food trucks offering food and desserts.
Like the others, Folsom City Council member YK Chalamcherla emphasized the importance of the annual event, one that he too looks forward to every year. “It (National Night Out) is important to strengthen the bonding between public safety officials and community, increase crime prevention awareness, dialogue on better neighborhood watch programs and build a sense of community, as a city leaders and a resident as well.
“It is important to strengthen the bonding between public safety officials and community, increase crime prevention awareness, dialogue on better neighborhood watch programs and build a sense of community.”
Pine View Drive on the other side of Folsom was another well attended event where some 80 registered participants enjoyed their annual buffett style spread, complete with tables, chairs and plenty of visiting amongst one another and with first responders upon their arrival. Other locations that were amongst the rounds were Caversham Way, Coval Court, Singer Lane, Fassett Court, Rock Canyon Court, Burnt Creek Way, Gold Creek Circle, Sourdough Court, Auburn Leaf Loop, Park Folsom on Wales Drive, Triff Court, Arbuckle Avenue, Dolan Court, Loney court, Chambersburg Way, Kingfisher Court and Flint Rock Court. Big Foot Park was a well populated event in Natoma Station as was Kid’s Inc. on Prairie City Road, Deer and Rabbit Park on Orange Blossom Circle, Wellsley Court and Silo Street.
National Night Out was first introduced in August of 1984 through an already established network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, state and regional crime prevention associations and volunteers across the nation. The first annual National Night Out involved 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states. National Night Out has since grown to become a celebration beyond just front porch vigils and symbolic efforts amongst neighbors to send a message of neighborhood camaraderie. Neighborhoods across the nation host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and more. The communities of Folsom, El Dorado Hills and Rancho Cordova certainly did their part this year in large.
Special Thanks to the City of Folsom, Folsom Police and Folsom Fire for their hospitality and assistance with this coverage Tuesday.
