Party in the Streets: National Night Out Fights Crime

Twenty block parties sprouted on Watsonville streets at this year’s on Tuesday.

The nationwide campaign aims to fight crime and other unlawful activities through the celebratory spirit and mingling that block parties can create when the neighbors gather. Tuesday's festivities also were an opportunity for Watsonville residents to take a stand against the gang violence that held the city hostage this summer.

Perhaps the most symbolic gathering Tuesday took place at the parking lot of the on Main Street, the site where . Saragoza was a field worker who was believed to have had Sureño gang ties.

“It’s a way for the community to get together and say you know what for today…we are going to unite against crime,” said Jose Barrera, Watsonville police master officer,at the block party organized at the Target location. “We are going to say enough is enough, this has to stop.”

The Target block party featured a bouncy house, a mobile police command center, free hot dogs, refreshments and a Target-sponsored raffle that included bikes and backpacks as prizes. The American Red Cross also set up an information booth to educate citizens on preparing for disasters.

See more National Night Out photos here, or submit your own to jennifer.squires@patch.com

The former crime scene felt revitalized; children and their parents were smiling and enjoying themselves.

“It is probably healing for the community to have this event so soon after such a horrible one.” said Donna Hayes, a sales employee at Target who was managing the ring toss game Tuesday. “I just think this is a much better use of the parking lot.”

Residents visiting the block party also expressed optimism about the potential influence of the event.

“This event is really good because it creates a different mindset,” said Daniel Kodad who was visiting the Target block party with his wife Betsy. “ Especially with the younger children, they can say ‘Hey I can deal with this’ and it pushes the other element somewhere else.”

Other residents also expressed confidence in the event, but warned that this event was not a celestial solution to the problem.

“I think it will help,” said Edwin Reed, a retired history professor who was volunteering at the American Red Cross table. “It is not going to be in any sense an immediate cure, but anything good helps.”

Neighbors at the event could be seen talking and enjoying themselves in this festive occasion. This was a sign that showed that the mingling organizers hoped for was in fact happening.

“It is a nice day, everyone is getting to know each other,” said Betsy Kodad. “I also ran into a teacher I know.”

Local leaders insist that this meet and greet are an aspect that can really make a difference in crime prevention.

“To be more effective to catch perpetrators neighbors really need to know each other,” state Assemblyman Luis A. Alejo said as he greeted some of his constituents at the Target happening. “ It makes the community stronger.”

This was a feeling that was also shared by Barrera, the cop.

“Believe it or not we go to a lot of calls where neighbors don’t know their neighbors,” said Barrera. “These are a great way for neighbors to know their neighbor and meet other people form their surrounding neighborhoods.”

While the block party at the Target parking lot went on, other National Night Out events throughout Watsonville were held with the same goals in mind. The on Sudden Street was another event that made use of its facilities to encourage community unity through sport.

“One of the primary things is giving people an activity or a reason to get to together with people from their community,” said Kristie Agan, regional program director for the YMCA.

During this “National Night Out” the Watsonville branch offered free access to their swimming pool, weight room, handball, basketball and volleyball courts to any resident that wishes to use them. 

“Through socializing and getting to know people, we get to better understand each other, and get educated about different things," Agan said.

A physical activity or game can create camaraderie among neighbors, so much so that maybe even gang members could be influenced to leave their ways.

“If a gang member is able to meet someone in another type of business or activity … then they are like ‘ok’ there some other things I can do,” said Agan. “That little push, to possibly go and have a different opportunity.”