Tuesday’s National Night Out foments safer neighborhoods

EVERETT — Fliers were posted on apartment doors, business fronts and bulletin boards along Casino Road.

Everyone is invited to Tuesday’s National Night Out block party.

The country-wide campaign is designed to bring neighbors and law enforcement together to talk about making their communities safer. Some people leave at the end of the night with a new crime watch group.

Three apartment complexes teamed up with the South Everett-Mukilteo Boys & Girls Club. Michael Lopez, leasing director at Crystal Springs Apartments, spearheaded the effort.

He and other property managers in the area meet with Everett police once a month. They talk about any problems they’ve noticed. Tagging is an ongoing concern.

“I hate seeing business owners who have to spend time, money and effort to clean up their property because of the vandalism,” Lopez said.

He was asked to help organize the National Night Out gathering.

Crystal Springs is working with Nova North and CentrePointe Greens apartments. Lopez asked if the Boys & Girls Club would open its doors for the event.

“He thought it was a good, natural fit,” said Jake Marsh, who is with the Boys & Girls Club. “We’re a community hub.”

People are invited to stop by anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. Tuesday. Lopez expected about 200 people to attend.

“We’re all rallying together to make it a big block party,” he said.

There will be a DJ, food trucks, clowns, face painting, piñatas and giveaways. Everett police officers and firefighters plan to visit.

Lopez has gone door to door letting people know about the block party.

“Our hope is to build more awareness on crime,” Lopez said. “I live here, too. It’s our community.”

Towns around Snohomish County are hosting gatherings of their own.

The Tulalip Tribal Police Department plans to cook hot dogs and bring in an inflatable bounce house. Families also can watch a police dog demonstration.

Tulalip Tribal Police officer Kalani Zoller said National Night Out is a time to break from busy schedules and spend time with neighbors.

“They go to work. They have busy, busy days,” Zoller said. “We want to give them an opportunity for everyone in Tulalip to come together and meet each other.”

Stacey McShane, project manager of Target Zero, is scheduled to set up a traffic-safety table at Brier Park. She will have goggles that simulate the effects of intoxication and information about child car-seat safety.

McShane also will pass out pamphlets about the new distracted driving law, which went into effect Sunday.

Gatherings near you

Here is a list of events, all scheduled for Tuesday evening.

Arlington: 5 p.m., Haller Park, 1100 West Ave. Neighborhood parties.

Brier: 6 p.m., Brier Park, 2903 228th St SW.

Bothell: Neighborhood parties.

Darrington: 6-10 p.m., The MARC, 1015 Seeman St.

Everett: 5-7 p.m., South Everett-Mukilteo Boys & Girls Club parking lot, 525 W. Casino Road. Neighborhood parties. For more information, go to everettwa.gov.

Gold Bar: 6:30 p.m., Gold Bar Family Grocer, 1111 Croft Ave.

Granite Falls: 4-7 p.m., field next to the IGA Grocery Store, 115 N Granite Ave.

Lake Stevens: 6-8 p.m., Trestle Station, 8011 20th St. SE.

Lynnwood: 5-8 p.m., Community Life Center, 19820 Scriber Lake Road.

Marysville: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Jennings Park, 6915 Armar Road.

Mill Creek: 5:30-8:30 p.m., Buffalo Park, 13401 44th Ave. SE.

Monroe: 5:30-8 p.m., Lake Tye Park, 14964 Fryelands Blvd.

Mountlake Terrace: 6-8:30 p.m., Evergreen Playfield, 22205 56th Ave. West.

Mukilteo: 4-7 p.m., Mukilteo Family YMCA, 10601 47th Place West.

Snohomish: 5:30-7:30 p.m., Snohomish Boys & Girls Club, 402 2nd St.

Stanwood: 6-9 p.m., Old Thrifty Foods parking lot, 27225 90th Ave. NW.

Sultan: 5-7 p.m., Sultan Police Department, 515 Main St.