Hollister Police Chief David Westrick is encouraging the community to participate in the annual National Night Out tonight, a national event designed to raise awareness of crime- and drug-prevention efforts. Hollister Police and the San Benito County Sheriff’s office are partnering on the event, which will be held in the 400 block of downtown Hollister from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday.
“I would encourage anyone that wants to take a stand against violent crime to come celebrate National Night Out with us as a community together,” Westrick said at the Aug. 4 Hollister City Council meeting. “Only together can we stamp this out of our community.”
National Night Out, sponsored nationally by the National Association of Town Watch, is held in more than 9,200 communities in all 50 states, U.S. territories, as well as Canadian cities and U.S. military bases around the world, with typical attendance in excess of 30 million people.
The event is designed to:
- Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness
- Generate support for, and participation in, anti-crime programs
- Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships
- Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back
During the hours set for each local National Night Out, neighborhoods are encouraged to lock their doors, turn on outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and the police. Many neighborhoods host block parties, contests and other city events.
For more information about the national event, click here.