Behind the Badge
From one little booth stationed in front of the Target store at The District at Tustin Legacy to more than 50 vendors and nearly 1,300 visitors, Tustin PD’s local celebration of National Night Out certainly has changed over the years.
But the mission remains the same: Bring law enforcement and community members together for an evening of fun, education and, most importantly, building relationships.
“It’s really just a chance to mingle with residents and build that relationship,” said TPD Police Services Officer Megan Evans, who is lead coordinator of this year’s event. “We want kids to be able to come to us and ask us questions.”
The event, which takes place nationally on the first Tuesday in August, will be hosted at The District on Aug. 1 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will include law enforcement-related booths, as well as vendors from the area businesses.
Although cities all celebrate the day a little differently, TPD takes the community-event approach, inviting the public over to one big free event. And each year, the crowds have grown.
Visitors can expect CSI, Community Emergency Response Team, K9 and traffic unit booths, as well as resource organizations.
There will be live-band entertainment, skits performed by the Tustin Dance Center, a jump house for kids, a K9 demonstration, some games and opportunity drawings with prizes donated by The District businesses. Local dignitaries, including the mayor, police chief and city council members, also will be on hand mingling with guests.
The Tustin Police Department invites the community to come out and learn more about the work they do. The event aims to help create an environment of open, two-way communication between residents and law enforcement.
