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Lathrop Police staging National Night Out events on Tuesday
lathrop police badge
This is the badge for the new Lathrop Police Department debuting on July 1.

On Tuesday night, the streets of Lathrop’s neighborhoods will be alive with the smell of barbecue and the sight of neighbors sitting together and chatting in the warm evening air.

It’ll all be in the name of bringing the community closer together and sending a message that crime – in any form – is not welcome in a community like Lathrop.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has limited the National Night Out celebration – which will take place nationwide on Tuesday, Aug. 2 – from being celebrated fully, this year is expected to be a return to normal for a city that relishes the opportunities it gets to interact with first responders and emergency personnel.

And the event will also provide the chance for residents to get to know the new officers of the Lathrop Police Department – who have been at the helm of the city’s law enforcement operations for just over a month after more than three decades of contracted service from the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office.

“This police-community event promotes partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie, while joining efforts in the prevention and awareness of crime, increasing participation in Neighborhood Watch programs, and strengthening the partnerships between the community and local law enforcement,” the Lathrop Police said in a statement about the event – the first that the agency will be coordinating the response.

From 6 to 8 p.m., officers from Lathrop Police and fire personnel from the Lathrop Manteca Fire District will be visiting registered block parties in the community and getting to know new residents and catching with established ones – hitting multiple block parties in an evening along with members of the Lathrop City Council and officials from the City of Lathrop.

To register your neighborhoods National Night Out block party and to request a visit from local first responders and city officials email the relevant information to nnoregistrations@ci.lathrop.ca.us or call 209.647.6400. Only registered parties will receive a visit from police, fire, and city personnel during the two-hour window.

To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.