CITY TAKES SECOND PLACE AMONG CALIFORNIA CITIES; 12TH NATIONALLY
SUISUN CITY — Suisun City’s 2012 National Night Out event was once again one of the best in the nation thanks to the extraordinary partnership between the Police Department and the community, city officials said.
Suisun City’s event, which included a community celebration and dozens of neighborhood block parties across the city, was the second best in California and twelfth best across the nation among cities with a population of 15,000 – 49,999 residents, according to a recent announcement by the National Association of Town Watch.
National Night Out is a nationwide program focused on promoting cooperative police-community crime prevention efforts. “It is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime efforts, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and to send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and united in preventing crime, and taking back our neighborhoods” said Police Chief Ed Dadisho.
For Suisun City, the national recognition was made all the more special this year given budget cuts the city sustained due to the economy and the elimination of redevelopment. “This was a year with a major restriction on funds that led to some pretty amazing partnerships to leverage our resources to continue our fantastic event,” said City Manager Suzanne Bragdon.
On the first Tuesday in August, the Police Department partnered with the Suisun City Fire Department and the Salvation Army Kroc Center, led by Capt. Jonathan Harvey, to host a community block party at Hall Park, which included displays and entertainment from numerous community groups, hot dogs barbecued by Chief Mike O’Brien and firefighters, children’s fingerprinting, jump houses, the Bryan Braker train, and support from McDonald’s, Papa Murphy’s, Baskin Robbins, Jelly Belly and more.
“The Salvation Army Kroc Center is proud to be a part of an event that enriches our community,” Captain Harvey said.
There also were Public Safety demonstrations and exhibits by the Suisun City Citizens Emergency Response Team, Medic Ambulance, Solano County Sheriff’s Department, Operation Rail Safety, Suisun Wildlife Center, CALSTAR air ambulance, and other community agencies and volunteers.
In addition to the community celebration, various Neighborhood Watch groups hosted localized block parties that were visited by city leaders, firefighters and police officers throughout the evening.
“The engine crews are thrilled to visit and provide education to our neighbors in a non-emergency setting,” said Fire Chief Mike O’Brien. “The kids can see and sit in the fire engines and the grown-ups have a chance to ask questions of the firefighters.”
The Police Department extends its heartfelt thanks to all of its community partners without whom this annual event would not be possible.
To learn more about joining a Neighborhood Watch group or National Night Out, contact Community Service Officer Pam Greenwood at (707) 435-2748.