By Brett Callwood
The National Night Out, also known as the Summer Block Party, returns to Gardena on the evening of Tuesday, August 6 at the City Hall Complex.
Locals can stop by and meet police officers while enjoying free food, games, music and giveaways.
Stephany Santin is the City of Gardena’s Recreation and Human Services Director. “National Night Out / Summer Block Party is a fantastic way for our city to spend an evening with our community members,” she told the GVN. “It is great to see partnerships in action. This event allows us to provide over 350 backpacks to school-aged children returning to school and link them to many great resources for youth and families. “This event is also fun for all ages, with free food, entertainment, activities, and great raffle prizes.”
Lieutenant Alexander Rivera is a lead for the event, and he said that, “National Night Out is a nationwide event where the police department celebrates their appreciation for the community. Ours is unique in that we partner up with Recreation and Human Services. That’s why we are able to host the biggest national night out celebration in the Los Angeles area.”
Rivera took over the event three years ago for the Police Department.
“I love doing it,” he said. “Through thick and thin, the Gardena community has supported the police department and we want the community to know we appreciate them for it. With the help of the Gardena Police Foundation and the Gardena Police Officer Association, we are able to fund a larger event than most, which includes entertainment, food, games, giveaways, huge raffles, and over 50 booths.”
“We also take advantage of events such as these to gain feedback from our community about what they would like to see at our facilities,” added Santin. “This year, we are hosting a workshop to hear from our community members about their desire for new park concept designs for vacant and underutilized properties in the city.”
The event takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the City Hall Complex, 1700 W. 162nd St, Gardena 90247.
“We’re looking to make this year’s celebration the biggest ever,” said Rivera.
Register at www.cityofgardena.org/events.
