National Night Out 2008
- a big success
August 7, 2008
As part of a national campaign, the Los Angeles Police Department fully participated in this year's National Night Out. With communities across the country holding events to raise awareness, the LAPD held nothing back as the Department partnered with various organizations in bringing a night of family fun to the people of Los Angeles.
The Newton area event was held at Lizarraga Elementary School. With approximately 1,500 people in attendance, there was something for the entire family to enjoy. There were representatives from the Los Angeles Galaxy Soccer Club in attendance giving away free T-shirts and stickers. MTV TR3's was there as well as representatives from the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Other organizations such as 1-800-DENTIST, the Red Cross, the Department of Water and Power and the Los Angeles Fire Department were on hand giving out key chains, stickers and information on services. But perhaps the biggest attraction was the appearance of Aria Wallace from the Nickelodeon sitcom iCarly and Victoria Justice from Zoey 101. They autographed photos and were made available for pictures.
The Central area event was held in Little Tokyo and had a different vibe to it. There were Japanese folk dancers performing on one of two stages, various venders selling items such as incense and Japanese cuisine. A boxing ring was set up in the middle of the street and amateur fighters from the Boxing Academy Los Angeles held exhibition matches. The evening culminated with a motorcade of police motorcycles and pedestrian cyclists through the streets of Downtown Los Angeles.
These were just two of approximately 60 city-wide events held as part of the National Night Out campaign. In its 25th year, the National Night Out campaign is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support and participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and to send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Thank you to everyone for all their hard work and planning in making National Night Out 2008 a huge success. |
