Behind the Badge
The Santa Ana Police Department’s caravan of community-building alit at Cabrillo Park for the annual National Night Out festivities.
An estimated crowd of between 1,000 and 2,000 residents came out for the affair that featured more than 20 community service groups, businesses, elected officials, and police, lots of police.
Of more the 20 canopies manned by volunteers and residents ringing the parkgrounds, about a dozen represented the wide array of services supported by and operated by the Police Department. There was the Police Athletic and Activity League, for sport enthusiasts, another where Motorcycle Officers passed out bike helmets and promoted safe biking, a group of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Orange County volunteers who work with SAPD to provide emotional support, education, and resources for families, and those affected by mental illness.
And there was the ever popular SWAT unit, where residents could suit-up in 30 pounds of tactical gear, hop in the back of the department’s Terradyne Armored vehicle, and examine the various tools of the trade, such as a gasmask, battering ram, and four-foot bolt cutter.
Brandon Guerrero, 6, with is sister Layla, 5, had a chance to checkout SWAT gear at Santa Ana PD’s annual National Night Out festivities at Cabrillo Park Tuesday August 6, 2024. Photo by Michael Goulding/Behind the Badge
Brendan Guerrero, 6, and his sister, Layla, 5, made a beeline for the SWAT unit after their mom had picked up some of the free items being passed out by the nearby United Across Borders Foundation, an O.C. nonprofit based in Santa Ana that distributes food and other necessities.
“This is cool that they let the people see the gear close up,” said mom Diana Gutierrez, as Brendan and Layla hunkered down in the back of the SWAT vehicle.
More than cops and robbers
Although this was Gutierrez’s first time at Night Out with her kids, she said her mom, Myrna Ramirez, has been a volunteer with NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness, so she was aware of the wider community efforts of SAPD. She said that diversity was as important to Night Out as the kick-butt cop equipment displays.
“It helps people to see all the resources,” Gutierrez said, referring not only to SAPD but the assorted city and social service groups on hand. “There are a lot of people with needs and don’t know what’s available.”
Acting Chief of Police Robert Rodriguez said the event serves dual purposes.
“It’s a way to focus on public safety and partnerships. It’s not just policing, it’s a community issue,” he said.
Rodriguez noted when residents avail themselves of opportunities, whether it’s for learning, activities, or athletics, it benefits both the city and the police force.
“It’s all about the city and all the stakeholders sharing resources of what’s available,” he said.
Valeria Hernandez, a corrections officer, who was pulling duty accompanying Shadow, the department’s therapy dog, said the diversity of what SAPD provides was surprising, even to her.
“We have so many divisions,” he said. “I think it’s eye-opening to see what we really do in a different light.”
Shadow wasn’t the only four-legged officer on hand. Two of the department’s K-9 patrol dogs, Jack, a Dutch Shepherd, and Ruben, a Belgian Malinois, were on hand, although they stayed mostly in their patrol vehicles.
Mounted Patrol Unit members Sgt. Kanan Blake, with Ultra, left, and Jaime Lopez on Willow, were on hand for Santa Ana PD’s National Night Out on Tuesday August 6, 2024 at Cabrillo Park. Photo by Michael Goulding, Behnd the Badge
Sgt. Kanan Blake and his horse, Ultra, and Jaime Lopez, with Willow, represented Santa Ana’s Mounted Unit Enforcement Detail.
“We try to go to 20 to 30 events,” Lopez said of the busy horse detail.s annual schedule, which the officers are part of, in addition to their regular police duties.
While much of what they do is ceremonial and public relations, Lopez noted that he and Blake helped chase down, on horseback, a trio of would-be thieves at the recent U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. At last year’s National Night Out, they assisted a lost child in finding her parents.
“It’s still police work,” Lopez said.
At each of the booths, volunteers and workers handed out pamphlets and talked about their services. At the Santa Ana Public Library’s Bookmobile, residents learned about checking out books and the array of activities the library hosts. There was even a Bounce House to drain the energy of rambunctious kids.
Meanwhile, businesses, like the Anaheim Ducks, passed out merchandise, and the KBUE, Que Buena, radio booth spun out music and announced winners of various raffles.
40th birthday
National Night Out has grown into middle age, but shows little sign of slowing down. Held on the first Tuesday in August, Night Out is advertised as being recognized in more than 17,000 communities with 38 million participants in all 50 states, plus U.S. military bases and territories.
It is meant to build community partnerships and highlight the importance of Neighborhood Watch and other crime prevention programs and efforts.
Santa Ana PD’s National Night Out on Tuesday August 6, 2024 featured SAPD officers and equipment for attendees to try out (if not take for a spin). Photo by Michael Goulding/Behind the Badge
Originally, residents were encouraged to turn on front porch lights in a symbolic show of support for local chapters of groups such as Neighborhood Watch, one of the oldest and best-known crime prevention programs with more than 28,000 neighborhood groups, including about 3,800 in California. The first National Night Out was celebrated in 400 communities in 23 states.
This year, Santa Ana was among 20 Orange County cities to play host to National Night Out events.
According to Yessenia Aspeitia, SAPD’s Social Media Coordinator, the Department has staged Night Out events for about 10 years, rotating them to different parks in each of the department’s four patrol districts.
She said Night Out is the department’s largest event, ahead of Pancakes with Santa and the Halloween Trunk and Treat.
“For sure, across the board it’s the biggest event,” she said of Night Outt for the department. “There are people from all divisions.”
Kids played games and engaged in activities at at Santa Ana PD’s National Night Out on Tuesday August 6, 2024 at Cabrillo Park. Photo by Michael Goulding/Behind the Badge
Children were able to acquire all manner of tchotchkes from police, city agencies, and businessees attending Santa Ana PD’s National Night Out on Tuesday August 6, 2024 at Cabrillo Park. Photo by Michael Goulding/Behind the Badge
More than 20 canopies were arrayed at Cabrillo Park representing area agencies, elected officials, service agencies, and nonprofits for the 1,000-2,000 residents who came out of Santa Ana PD’s National Night Out on Tuesday August 6, 2024. Photo by Michael Goulding/Behind the Badge
Food, necessities, and goodie bags for more than 600 families were available from nonprofits such as Unitefd Across Borders at Santa Ana PD’s National Night Out on Tuesday August 6, 2024 at Cabrillo Park. Photo by Michael Goulding/Behind the Badge
