Behind the Badge
The heat gave way to a pleasant summer night’s breeze on Tuesday, Aug. 6, as families and residents alike enjoyed the Tustin Police Department’s 36thannual National Night Out.
“I love seeing the community come together like this, especially with what’s going on in our world right now,” Miss Tustin runner-up Anyssa Nunez said. “It’s really important to learn about safety, how to prevent crime, and how we can help each other out in the community.”
Red, white, and blue balloon arches danced in the wind as the parking lot of The District at Tustin Legacy began to fill with police officers, cop cars, and various vendor booths.
The Tustin Police Honor Guard participates in the opening ceremony of the annual National Night Out event at The District in Tustin on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
“I am a social worker so I find all the resources the department offers here are very helpful for families on top of making (the event) super fun,” Tustin resident Yulie Deharo said.
Kids spent a majority of their night jumping in the bounce house, playing horseshoes, taking photos with the motor and K9 units, meeting first responders, and decorating themselves in stickers.
In addition to the kids’ activities offered, the K9 unit put on a demonstration for residents using the police dogs which involved a drug find and bite demo.
Tustin Police canine Roki attacks a pretend bad guy during a demonstration at the annual National Night Out event at The District in Tustin on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
“I love that it’s kid friendly so my kids can learn not to be scared of police officers and firefighters,” Tustin resident Michelle Reynolds said.
Tustin’s National Night Out is cherished by the community as well as by the department.
“People don’t usually have a lot of positive interactions with police so letting them come out and see that we are just people who are part of the community too is great,” Tustin Police Detective Eric Haug said.
Tustin Police Chief Stu Greenberg welcomes guests to the annual National Night Out event at The District and leads the crowd in a moment of silence for those lost in recent mass shootings on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
The night offers the community a valuable chance to get to know their local police department while learning about crime, drug, and violence prevention.
“The education and the interaction here are just fantastic,” Field Support Division Manager Dave Kanoti said. “I love talking and residents have some really great questions.”
As dusk started to settle residents claimed their raffle prizes and headed back to their homes; it was the end to one of Tustin’s many successful National Night Out events.
Members of the community get the chance to meet law enforcement officers, fire fighters, first responders, and other community service members during the annual National Night Out event at The District in Tustin on Tuesday evening, August 6, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Tustin Police Officer Eric Kent and his dog, Roki, pose for a photo with Veronica Ochoa of Santa Ana and her kids Mia, 6, and Max, 1, during the annual National Night Out, when the community gets the chance to meet local law enforcement officers, at The District on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Tustin Police Services Officer and Crime Scene Investigator Zhanna Ismailova, left, shows some of the departments investigative tools and methods to Elena and Jon Cahill of Tustin during National Night Out on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at The District. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Miss Tustin, Keenan Pasztor, performs a dance during National Night Out at The District in Tustin on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Olivia Gima, 1, of Tustin gets the chance to sit in an Orange County Fire Authority fire truck during Tuesday’s National Night Out event at The District in Tustin on August 6, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Tustin Police Officer Taylor Ryan and his dog, Ragnar, meet Ian Vu, left, and his brother Byron Vu, during National Night Out at The District on Tuesday evening, August 6, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the community get the chance to meet law enforcement officers, fire fighters, first responders, and other community service members during the annual National Night Out event at The District in Tustin on Tuesday evening, August 6, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Miss Tustin and the members of her court cover their hearts for the National Anthem during National Night Out at The District in Tustin on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Students from the School of Rock perform on stage during the National Night Out event in Tustin on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Beckman High School senior Amaroh Williams sings the National Anthem to kick off the annual National Night Out event at The District in Tustin on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Tustin Police Officer Eric Kent sits with his dog, Roki, as they meet members of the community during the annual National Night Out at The District on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Kids compete in a Hula hoop contest in the parking lot at The District in Tustin during the annual National Night Out event on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Tustin Police canine Roki attacks a pretend bad guy during a demonstration at the annual National Night Out event at The District in Tustin on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the community get the chance to meet law enforcement officers, fire fighters, first responders, and other community service members during the annual National Night Out event at The District in Tustin on Tuesday evening, August 6, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Tustin Police Services Officer and Crime Scene Investigator Christian De Loera, left, shows some of the departments investigative tools and methods to attendees of the annual National Night Out on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at The District. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Baylor Rombough, 1, of Tustin sits on a police motorcycle with Officer Mike McJunkin during National Night Out at The District in Tustin on Tuesday evening, August 6, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
Tustin Police Officer Eric Kent and his dog, Roki, put on a demonstration during the annual National Night Out, when the community gets the chance to meet local law enforcement officers, at The District on Tuesday, August 6, 2019. (Photo By Jeff Antenore, Contributing Photographer)
