South Snohomish County’s Night Out Against Crime returns again after its successful debut last year.
Last year’s event won nationwide recognition after the National Association of Town Watch, a group who sponsors National Night Out, awarded the South Snohomish County event with one of its Rookie of the Year awards.
South Snohomish County’s Night Out Against Crime will take place from 5-8 p.m. Aug. 3 at McCollum Park, 600 128th St. SE as part of a nationwide program, now in its 21st year.
Community Service Officer Michele Pellettieri, one of the event’s organizers, said this year’s event will be an improvement on its predecessor.
“We have more people participating,” Pellettieri said. “We have more activities planned and we just plan to make it bigger and better than last year.”
The City of Mill Creek Police Department and the Snohomish County Sheriff’s office are sponsoring the event along with local groups such as McCollum Park BMX racing, Snohomish County Parks and Rec. and Community Transit.
Crime Prevention Officer Pat Cudinski said National Night Out helps strengthen the community.
“It’s not just crime prevention that makes a sense of community, it’s all these groups working together,” Cudinski said.
This year’s National Night Out will feature a variety of activities in addition to public safety booths and free food. Participants can visit the many safety booths sponsored by groups such as Mt. Baker Boys and Girls Scouts, 4H Club, and K-9, Search and Rescue.
J.P. Patches returns to the event with a children’s show, event times are were unavailable as of the Enterprise’s deadline.
Webbley the Aquasox Frog, McGruff, Silver Tips’ Lincoln, and other local mascots will also make appearances.
Les Schwab will sponsor a speed pitch booth while McCollum Park BMX Racing will host its Hot August Nights Racing.
For those wanting to cool down, there will be free swimming at the McCollum Park pool as well as a cannonball splash contest.
All booths, activities, and events for the night will be free.
“It’s a totally free event,” Pellettieri said. “No one is charged to participate and nothing is sold. We like the fact we don’t have to ask families to make sure they bring money.”
In addition to the larger events at McCollum Park, National Night Out is also a time for individual neighborhoods to meet. Highland South resident Elaine Craig and her neighbor organized their neighborhood’s second National Night Out event.
Craig said in recognition of National Night out, she and her neighbors will meet for a potluck and leave their porch lights on for the night.
She also said the event helps neighbors meet and look out for one another.
“Our neighbors in here are really nice people … they’re all really supportive of each other,” Craig said.
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