Take a Stand Against Crime Tuesday
Leave your porch light on at home on Tuesday, Aug. 2 as part of National Night Out Against Crime to send a message to criminals that they are not welcome in your neighborhood and as a show of solidarity with all law enforcement.
“It’s a way to connect with the community. I think right now it’s especially important,” said San Diego County Sheriff’s Lt. Karen Stubkjaer. “It’s a way to have a dialogue in a fun, easy space. And people can see the diversity of the department and what we have to offer.”
Stubkjaer said while this is something they do every year, there is an extra sense of importance to it this year in light of the law enforcement and community friction and violence seen across the country in recent months. She said in her community of Lakeside, she cautioned her deputies that they might face some negativity in the field. Instead, “they have seen an increase in people saying thank you and we stand by you.”
The Sheriff’s Department will be holding a dozen community events to bring people together with the deputies who patrol their neighborhoods and learn more about the services available. Sheriff’s crime prevention specialists will also offer tips to residents about how to stay safe and deter crime around their neighborhoods and highlight volunteer opportunities with the department.
Nearly all the events will include various sheriff’s vehicles and department displays. Some will include free food donations as noted below.
- The Fallbrook Sheriff’s Substation is celebrating early from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, July 29 on Main Avenue and Alvarado Street as part of the Summer Nights Downtown Block Party. The event will include live music, classic cars, food vendors and a kids’ fun zone.
- The Alpine Sheriff’s Station is hosting their event from 4 to 7 p.m. at 2751 Alpine Ave. This event includes free station tours. The Kiwanis Club of Alpine is providing free hot dogs, chips and drinks. The event also includes a drawing for prizes and giveaways for kids.
- The North Coastal Sheriff’s Station will hold their event from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Target parking lot of Encinitas Town Ranch Center, 1010 North El Camino Real. Target is providing free hot dogs, hamburgers and drinks and giveaways for kids.
- The Imperial Beach Sheriff’s Substation will hold their event from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Robert Egger Sr. South Bay Recreation Center, 1885 Coronado Ave. Free food, classic cars, face painting and giveaways for kids will be available.
- The Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Substation event will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Main Street Promenade, 3443 Main Street.
- The Poway Sheriff’s Station will hold its event from 4 to 7 p.m. in the parking lots at 13100 Bowron Road. McGruff the talking crime dog and his special patrol car, the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue beagles, the K-9 unit, and mounted horse patrol will be among the display area. Free hot dogs and drinks hosted by Target, vintage patrol cars and giveaways for kids will be available.
- The Ramona Sheriff’s Substation will hold its celebration from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Ramona Library parking lot, 1275 Main St. The mounted horse patrol will be on exhibit and giveaways for children will be available.
- The Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station will hold its event from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Target parking lot, 2911 Jamacha Road.
- The San Marcos Sheriff’s Station will hold two Night Out events from 3 to 6 p.m. at Connors Park, 320 W. San Marcos Blvd. and from 5 to 7 p.m. at San Elijo Park, 1105 Elfin Forest Road. The Sheriff’s Talking Patrol Car will be on display with other displays. The event includes free refreshments, child fingerprinting kits, games and stickers for children.
- The Santee Sheriff’s Station and the Lakeside Sheriff’s Substation are combining their event from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Santee Plaza Shopping Center, 255 Town Center Parkway. The Sheriff’s will demonstrate the dangers of drinking and driving with a vehicle that has been involved in an alcohol- or drug-related crash. Target is providing free hot dogs and snacks and there will be free giveaways for children.
- The Valley Center Sheriff’s Substation will hold their Night Out event from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Valley Center Library, 29200 Cole Grade Road. Prizes and giveaways will be available.
- The Vista Sheriff’s Station will celebrate from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Target parking lot, 3150 Business Park Drive. The event includes free food and drinks hosted by Target and giveaways.
You can find more information on Night Out Against Crime events at sdsheriff.net.
