Partying to fight crime?
Don’t laugh.
It works.
Just ask retired Police Chief Dave Bricker.
Two decades ago, Manteca was plagued with a summer where gang activity was leading to gun fire multiple times a week.
Police stepped up and reached out to those in the neighborhood that was ground zero in terms of suffering daily from gang activity; Southside just to the southwest of downtown. They deployed community outreach efforts to break down language barriers and build trust.
Park crews joined forces with the police to take the Southside Park back from the gangs by cleaning it up, installing lighting and playground equipment, and upgrading the basketball court.
And then they threw a party.
It was a free community-wide National Night Out party at Southside Park.
Police joined forces with church and service groups citywide to conduct games; serve sodas, popcorn, and sno-cones; hold K9 demonstrations; and set up jump houses.
A minor miracle of sorts happened.
Neighbors who eschewed their park showed up in droves. And they continued to use the park afterwards.
They had come together and — after Manteca Police earned their trust — were looking out for each other and would call police when they saw something suspicious in their neighborhood.
That, in a nutshell, is the long game of National Night Out block parties as well as Neighborhood Watch groups.
And the decision to return to a community event this year in addition to National Night Out parties is a bid to grow bonds between neighbors and to communicate things that look out of place to police.
Franciscan Park is where
NNO will start on Aug. 4.
Signups are now underway for NNO block parties.
So far, the highest concentration is at Del Webb with a smattering throughout Manteca.
Franciscan Park — located on Elm Avenue a block south of Louise Avenue — was picked for the community wide event because there have been no block parties in the area in recent years.
Police Chief Stephen Schluer noted the city is taking the block party to them that runs from 4:30 to 7 p.m., is free, and is open to everyone throughout Manteca.
It will include free hot dogs, chips and drinks, crafts and games, fire hose demonstration, police K-9 demo, and a chance to meet police, fire and recreation teams.
Some police and fire personnel will stick around the park to interact with people while others will take off on a tour of block parties throughout the city.
“National Night Out is absolutely very effective,” Chief Schluer said. “I believe it enhances our neighborhoods by bringing people together.”
Schluer said it also helps strengthen connections between public safety and city employees with the residents they serve as well as neighbors with neighbors.
The National Night Out effort is being organized by Manteca Police, Manteca Fire, and city recreation staff.
Schluer noted hosting your own block party is the perfect opportunity to meet your neighbors, connect with local first responders, and help build a stronger, safer Manteca.
Register your neighborhood party online, download an application, or pick one up at the Manteca Senior Center, 295 Cherry Lane.
Access the online application at https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSeJ8_V.../viewform
Call Manteca Recreation at 209-456-8600 or email recreation@manteca.gov if you have any questions.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com.
