Residents in neighborhoods throughout San Diego County will join the annual “National Night Out Against Crime,” by turning on porch lights and spending Tuesday evening outside getting to know their neighbors.
In Oceanside, minister Sheldon Brown will hold a non-denominational peace walk to the amphitheater next to the Oceanside pier.
Brown said concerted efforts to improve neighborhood safety began eight years ago following the shooting of police officer Dan Bessant.
The Save Our Streets neighborhood advocacy group was formed to bring together grassroots efforts of neighbors, nonprofits, churches, police and the city.
Since then neighborhood outreach has had a positive impact, and reduced Oceanside crime, Brown said. The FBI crime index shows the city’s overall crimes have dropped by more than 33 percent in the last 10 years.
“In the last eight years they have seen the crime go down in the city of Oceanside,” Brown said. “Yes, we do have some problems, every now and then, every city does. But by working together we can stop the major problems from happening and from increasing in the different neighborhoods.”
Brown said National Night Out recharges year-round grassroots efforts to better neighborhoods, and lets people know how they can get involved.
“It's a night out. That means come out of your house, get out of your homes, go to the parks, and get involved with this night out against crime,” Brown said. “Show everyone that you are here to make a difference. It's not a night to stay at home, we want you to come out, and join in, and fight against crime.”
National Night Out events in Oceanside will be held at Joe Balderrama Park, Crown Heights Resource Center, Libby Lake Park, and Melba Bishop Recreational Center. Events start between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
The nondenominational prayer walk from Pier View Way to the Pier Amphitheater begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
