EVERETT – Karen Richins and the neighbors in her Everett block watch have an unusual way of fighting crime.
They throw parties, and they invite the cops.
“One of my personal goals is to make sure we connect very well with our beat officers,” Richins said. “We want to make sure they know we’re being the eyes and ears of our neighborhood.”
On Tuesday, people across the country will celebrate National Night Out, an annual event where staff from police and fire departments mingle with the people they serve. Several cities in Snohomish County have planned gatherings for the evening event.
Police urge people to go outside Tuesday night, lock their doors, turn on their porch lights and meet their neighbors.
The Edmonds Police Foundation opted to have its event last Thursday. Scores of people dined on free hot dogs, apples, chips and ice cream. There was live music, clowns, face painting, even pony rides for the kids.
Edmonds Crime Prevention Officer Robin Heslop called a healthy relationship between police and residents “the backbone to fighting crime.”
National Night Out may be the only chance some people have to interact with police under pleasant conditions, she said.
“It really is to bridge the gap,” Heslop said. For “a lot of people, the contact they have with police officers can be construed as negative. If they’re getting pulled over or if there’s a problem, they don’t get to know the officers as people.”
Some cities have parties planned for Tuesday night. In other towns, such as Lynnwood, police will walk through several different neighborhoods to meet with residents.
In Everett, members of Richins’ block watch have held a potluck, a wine tasting and other gatherings over the past year. The parties have drawn more people into the block watch program, and also have encouraged neighbors to get to know each other.
National Night Out is another chance for people and police to strengthen their bonds, she said.
“When you get to know people, you care about them, and thus you will report anything suspicious that might affect them,” she said.
“It’s neighbors helping neighbors.”
Some of the city-sponsored National Night Out events Tuesday include:
Everett: 5 to 8 p.m., 1402 SE Everett Mall Way.
Snohomish: 4 to 7:30 p.m., Ferguson Park, 1330 Ferguson Park Road.
Monroe: 6 to 9 p.m., Lake Tye Park, 14964 Fryelands Blvd.
Marysville: 6 to 9 p.m., Comeford Park, 514 Delta Ave.
Lake Stevens: 5 to 9 p.m., downtown on Main Street.
Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.
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