Southern Californians To Turn On Outdoor Lights Early For National Night Out

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Several Southland communities will host events Tuesday night for the 29th Annual National Night Out event.

National Night Out was established to heighten awareness of crime and drug prevention, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime efforts, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back, according to Stephanie Martin of the Manhattan Beach Police Department.

As early as 4 p.m., residents will be asked to turn on their outside lights and spend the evening outside with neighbors and law enforcement officers, who will be out in extra patrols.

A partial listing of the planned events:

-- 4 p.m. in East Los Angeles, Belvedere Park, 4801 E. Third St.;
-- 5 p.m. in southwest Los Angeles, Van Ness Recreation Center, 5720 S.
Second Ave.;
-- 5 p.m. in the Leimert Park area of Los Angeles, Marlton Avenue,
between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and 39th Street;
-- 6 p.m. in Marina del Rey, sheriff's service center, 5357 Centinela Ave.;
-- 6 p.m. in Van Nuys, 14400 block of Sylvan Street;
-- 6 p.m. in Hawaiian Gardens, City Hall, 21815 Pioneer Blvd.;
-- 6 p.m. in South Gate, Senior Building, 4855 Tweedy Blvd.;
-- 6 p.m. in Pasadena, Hammond Street, between Fair Oaks Avenue and
Morton Avenue;
-- 6 p.m. in Manhattan Beach, various neighborhoods;
-- 6 p.m. in Santa Monica, Civic Center Parking lot, Olympic Drive at
Fourth Street; and
-- 7 p.m. in Gardena, Target Store, 2169 W. Redondo Beach Blvd.

National Night Out is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch.

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