Imagine a night when the entire nation could come together to stand up against crime. If only for one night out of the year, this united front would cause crime rates to drop, morale and people’s sense of security would increase, and the nation as a whole would seem like a safer place.

Such a night does exist and will occur in the city of Santa Clarita.

As part of Santa Clarita’s 2008 public safety campaign, our city will participate in a national anti-crime program aimed at heightening awareness about crime and preventing future crimes.

National Night Out Against Crime, an annual, nationwide event during which more than 11,000 communities come together to participate in promoting community safety, is coming to our community.

The city and Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station will be hosting the local 2008 National Night Out Against Crime at the Newhall Community Center from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

This event is open and free to all who attend and will feature the Sheriff’s Posse, “McGruff the Crime Dog,” crafts, games, the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff Station’s Search and Rescue Team, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and free child fingerprinting services. There will also be refreshments provided for all attendees.

The National Night Out Against Crime heightens crime and drug prevention awareness, generates support for local crime prevention efforts and programs, and sends a message that our neighborhoods and residents are organized and vigilant. This event has been sponsored for the last 25 years by the National Association of Town Watch.

Last year’s National Night Out Against Crime received the involvement of citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from more than 10,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, more than 35 million people participated in 2007’s National Night Out Against Crime.

National Night Out Against Crime has proven nationwide to be an effective, inexpensive and enjoyable program that promotes neighborhood and police partnerships, greatly benefiting  the overall efforts to develop and foster a safer nation.

National Night Out Against Crime is celebrated across America in a variety of ways, ranging from traditional displays of outdoor lights and front porch vigils to events and activities such as block parties, cookouts, parades, exhibits, flashlight walks and contests.

Also of importance to Santa Clarita’s crime-fighting efforts is the Sheriff’s Neighborhood Watch program. Right now, our community has more than 150 active Neighborhood Watch groups in the Santa Clarita Valley.

The Neighborhood Watch group program is an excellent way for neighbors to meet regularly, get to know each other and share common issues and information of importance for each area.

If you are interested in forming a Neighborhood Watch group in your community, check out www.scvsheriff.com to sign up, or contact Deputy Laurie Baylis at (661) 799-5164.

More information on the National Night Out Against Crime can be found at www.nationaltownwatch.org/nno.
The Newhall Community Center is located at 22421 Market Street, Newhall. For additional information regarding the event, contact Deputy Laurie Baylis or Sergeant Gregg Lewison at (661) 799-5158.

Laurene Weste is a Santa Clarita City councilwoman. Her column reflects her own views, not necessarily those of The Signal. “Live from City Hall” is a column provided to The Signal by the city of Santa Clarita.