(Aug. 3, 2021, 11:05 a.m.) -- Tonight (Aug 3) is "National Night Out," an event started in 1984 by a privately-run non-profit ("National Association of Town Watch") to encourage local police departments and neighborhoods to interact with police officers in a friendly environment.
This year information on LB events isn't easy to come by unless offered by local neighborhood groups themselves. LBPD PIO Arantxa Chavarria declined to provide a list of LB events, citing privacy concerns since the events are held at private homes. However, she encouraged contacting LBPD local patrol divisions for details. On the morning of Aug. 3 (event day) LBREPORT.com reached a live person only at LBPD's East Division (who indicated she'd like to check with LBPD's PIO on releasing info.) We got voice mail at LBPD's North, West and South Divisions and declined to leave a message. Their respective emails are LBPDNorth, LBPDSouth or LBPDWest @longbeach.gov.) We know of three local organizers who provided their event's times and locations:
There are likely others in LB but if their organizers didn't tell us about them, we simply don't know about them. [Scroll down for further.] |
Some event rules declared by the national group also appear proprietary to them and purport require their consent [which we didn't seek] to distribute LBREPORT.com information on a key police-related issue locally: LB's thin level of police officers for taxpayers.
LB's police officer level for taxpayers is determined by the City Council. It reflects present and past Council voted actions on defunding and other budget matters. LBREPORT.com has editorially urged restoring officers. Other groups in Long Beach have urged cutting LBPD budget levels further. LBPD's police officers union endorsed and financially supported Council incumbents who cast police officer reductions. It may or may not do so for incumbents seeking reelection in 2022. p>Of course none of this can stop those at local events from speaking their minds as individuals.
An LBPD citywide online flier for National Night Out 2021 states: "We encourage you to turn on your porch lights, lock your doors, and go out to celebrate with your neighbors and police officers." The national group's website says: "National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
blog comments powered by Disqus Recommend LBREPORT.com to your Facebook friends:
Follow LBReport.com with:
Contact us: mail@LBReport.com |
|