Police officers from the LAPD’s Wilshire Division greeted residents at Pan Pacific Park. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Law enforcement and residents came together at block parties, barbecues and city parks on Aug. 4 for National Night Out Against Crime, an annual show of solidarity and community support held every year since 1984.

The Beverly Hills Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and Los Angeles Police Department held separate National Night Out events, each providing informal opportunities for residents to meet officers and deputies and talk about issues affecting neighborhoods.

In Beverly Hills, families, police officers, firefighters and city leaders gathered on North Rexford Drive between City Hall and the police and fire stations, where activities including an earthquake simulator, drone display and the police department’s support dog, Nami, engaged community members.

“Bringing out the whole community of Beverly Hills, having all the [City Council] members here, opening up the fire department, opening up the police department, bringing out all our squad gear – it’s really important to bring everyone down here and to show a different side of us,” BHPD Chief Max Subin said. “It’s a great community event. For years we’ve been doing it. We see old friends here … This year it’s packed.”

The event represented a full-circle moment for Subin, who joined the BHPD in 1999 and was recently appointed to lead the department. A refurbished vintage Chevy Tahoe police cruiser previously used by the BHPD was displayed at the center of the National Night Out festivities, adjacent to a photograph of Subin driving the same vehicle in 2001. The SUV was among the first vehicles Subin drove after joining the department, and, by coincidence, it was recently restored by a private owner, who loaned it to the city for the Aug. 4 event.

Beverly Hills City Manager Ryan Gohlich, the Beverly Hills City Council, BHPD Chief Max Subin and Treasurer Howard Fisher attended the event. (photo by Tabor Brewster)

The LAPD’s Wilshire Division held its National Night Out event on the field at Pan Pacific Park offering music, family entertainment and food from Pink’s Hot Dogs and Rocco’s Neighborhood Pizza, as well as information booths from L.A. city departments, neighborhood councils, private security companies and social service providers.

“National Night Out is very important across the nation. It’s a great opportunity for the community to come out and be able to engage with law enforcement, city officials and the fire department in a low stress environment,” Wilshire Division Senior Lead Officer Andrew Jones said. “Typically when officers engage with the community, it’s because they were called there for a crime, an accident, an injury. Most of the time that we contact people, it’s on their worst day. So this allows for us to meet with them, answer questions, and they get a little more of the human side of law enforcement. It allows us to let our guard down a little bit and interact with the community.”

Detective Carlos Siordia stressed the crime prevention aspect of National Night Out. Community members received information on public safety and emergency services provided by the city. Private companies including 3M displayed new safety technology such as film applied to windows that makes it extremely difficult to shatter glass.

Many local residents said they enjoy the Wilshire Division’s National Night Out event. Some attend every year.

“It’s good to see the police on a more humane level, face to face, and see some familiar faces of neighbors,” Fairfax District resident Toby Horn said.

“As far as I’m concerned, an event like this that brings the neighborhood and LAPD together in a casual, fun environment, where you can talk to officers, ask some questions, everybody’s really genuine, no stress, it’s perfect,” Larchmont resident Sam Uretsky added.

Wilshire Division personnel said there are many opportunities for the public to get involved at the station. The Community Police Advisory Board meets every third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. at the police station, 4861 W. Venice Blvd. For information, call (213)473-0476, or visit lapdonline.org/lapd-contact/west-bureau/wilshire-community-police-station.

Deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s West Hollywood Station met with residents at block parties and special events throughout the city. Personnel said it is an important way for deputies to hear residents’ concerns. West Hollywood Mayor John Heilman added that National Night Out is a longstanding celebration in the city.

“It’s really important for people to come out and meet their neighbors. It’s part of how we keep the community safe, but it’s also part of how the city learns what the issues are in particular neighborhoods,” Heilman said. “It’s a great event, and a lot of them are a lot of fun too. They have music, they have performers, so it’s a good way to meet your neighbors and learn a little bit more about the city.”

The sheriff’s department offers ways for the community to get involved in West Hollywood as volunteers. Anyone seeking information is urged to call the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station at (310)855-8850.

Sheriff’s Station deputies attended block parties and special events, discussing issues with residents. (photo by Edwin Folven
West Hollywood)