ABOUT THE PARTIES
• National Night Out 2013 will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 6, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The City of Manteca is encouraging residents to host block parties to show the community will not tolerate crime in our neighborhoods. If you are interested in hosting a National Night Out Party, call Brandy Clark at (209) 456-8623. Hosting a party is free. It takes just a few minutes over the phone to complete the application. The deadline for registering is 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 2. Registered parties may have visits from police, firefighters, ambulance crews and city officials.
The Meadowlands Neighborhood Block Party had neighbors working together toward a successful National Night Out on Tuesday with barbecues, potluck dishes, drinks and desserts in the 1000 block of Gladiola Lane.
Marlene Navarrette and Jill Goulart are heading up the effort to bring their neighbors together at 6 p.m. from a three block area. Other residents throughout the city will be holding similar informational celebrations at the same time.
Navarrette went door-to-door two weeks ago, after registering their event with the city, handing out fliers on her street and two others, hoping the residents in those 60 homes would congregate in front of her home. All of the men want to bring their backyard barbecues with the women adding their potluck recipes to the menu, she said.
They are hoping for visits from both the police and fire departments with their presentations to her family and her long list of neighbors on Carnation Way, Gladiola and Marigold lanes as well as the short Gladiola Court, she added.
The Navarrettes were the owners of the first house to be built on their street some 10 years ago when the neighborhood had its first problems with thieves stealing appliances and even windows from the nearly completed homes.
Just two weeks ago vandals broke the driver side window on her car parked in front of her house and a neighbor down the street had his tools stolen from his residence.
“I think we are all more aware and communicate now with each other plus many having surveillance cameras. It’s not as bad as it was in past years,” she said. “Everyone on my street is very friendly. When I handed out the fliers about the event, most wanted to talk. I was even given a glass of wine at one home.”
The Manteca woman said cars are often seen driving through the neighborhood that she believes are those scouting for an open garage or a home that can be burglarized. She added that many delivery items have been stolen off the front porches in the neighborhood.
“We all have each other’s telephone numbers, so when something happens or is suspicious, the entire neighborhood is alerted within minutes,” being way out in the northeast part of town. She added that because of their location it seems to take longer for police to respond to a 911 call for help.
“For the most part, everyone is excited. Everyone wants to party and this is a good excuse to get together,” she said.
