Summer nights, teens, The Patio Drive-In, and Yosemite Avenue were all made for cruising.
The heydays of cruising in Manteca was when a young person did something wrong, your parents found out if not from the police then from other community members.
It was a time when everyone in the neighborhood knew everyone else and if something was amiss they’d be quick to step up to see what was wrong.
Manteca Police – along with community volunteers – are working to bring back that community spirit of neighbors helping each other by using a car show, legal cruise, and a community block part at Library Park on Sunday to kick off annual National Night Out activities.
Then on Tuesday, various Neighborhood Watch groups are staging front yard potlucks and gatherings to get to know neighbors better.
The idea is to encourage people to get to know their neighbors so they can keep an eye out for each other and their property
. It is designed to encourage them to call neighbors when something doesn’t seem right or if it is a pressing concern to call the police.
The community block party takes place on Sunday, Aug. 2, at Library Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The switch from Tuesday to Sunday and earlier in the day is designed to generate more interest in bringing the community together to work against crime. There will still be over 50 Neighborhood Watch block parties on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
The Community Emergency Response Team will also stage a car show and cruise at Library Park on Sunday.
Tuesday, Aug. 4, is the same day the annual free shredding event takes place from 3 to 7 p.m. at Library Park.
The free event is being staged through the efforts of the Manteca Police Department and the Manteca Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Manteca has arranged for Shred-It trucks to be on hand. The weekly Library Park farmers market will run concurrently from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
There also will be a trailer there to take E-waste — computer equipment and electronics that are illegal under state laws designed to protect the environment to toss in your Toters. Both services are free.
Manteca Police Public Affairs spokesman Rex Osborn noted there will be various activities at the Sunday, Aug, 2, community block party as well as various public safety displays plus volunteer opportunities for those who’d like to assist police and fire efforts.
The police are also looking for non-profit community groups that would like to have free booths such as the MOMS Club, Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, Give Every Child a Chance and others. For more information contact Brandi Kendrick at the Manteca Parks & Recreation Department, 456-8600.
The car show registration is $15 in advance and $20 the day of the event.
You have to be entered in the car slow to take part in the legal cruise.
For more information or to register a block party on Aug. 4. contact Osborn at 456-8100.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, e-mail dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
