Residents to Spend 'Night Out' Against Crime

Tonight, Pleasantonians will throw a going-away party — for crime.

The Pleasanton Police Department will be sending its officers to dozens of "block parties" hosted by neighborhood watch groups throughout the night of Aug. 3.  The visits build community rapport as a part of the National Night Out campaign, allowing residents to meet both officers and each other through social activities hosted inside and outside their homes. 

The annual event is a useful public safety tool that allows the department to keep its finger on the community's pulse, according to Shannon Revel-Whitaker, a crime prevention officer and the event's organizer.

"This night is a thank-you to our neighborhood watch groups and a chance to get to know our neighbors," she said.  "It's also a showing of unity for residents who are throwing a going-away party for crime."

Pleasanton has more than 200 neighborhood watch groups in the city, said Revel-Whitaker.  The level of involvement varies between each group, which also produces different kinds of block parties during Night Out.

"Some [block parties] are as simple as sharing coffee and dessert with neighbors on the front porch," she said.  "Others are kid-centric with bicycle activities, some rent inflatable houses children can play in.  The activity usually depends on the size and location of the group; some neighborhood watch groups have their activities in their driveways, others close off their residential street or court and have the event in the middle of the street."

The earliest "block party" begins at 5 p.m. while the latest runs until 9 p.m.  There will be no significant street closures tonight with "only a handful" of groups requesting shutdowns, Revel-Whitaker said.

The Pleasanton Police Department had its first Night Out in 2000, when four watch groups hosted events throughout the city.  This year, Revel-Whitaker reported that more than 30 watch groups will be hosting events.

Night Out emphasizes "getting to know your neighbor," according to Revel-Whitaker, who added that neighborhood solidarity is one of the most important parts of crime prevention. 

Creating or joining a neighborhood watch group yields several benefits for residents looking to increase awareness in their part of Pleasanton.  Requesting a neighborhood watch for your area will bring an officer who conducts an initial security survey of your home or vehicle, offers crime prevention tips and helps inform neighbors, Revel-Whitaker said.  Officers can also help residents requesting crime prevention tips for specific problems such as car burglary, Internet safety and identity theft.

Officers look to involve the majority of residents on a block before creating a neighborhood watch group, Revel-Whitaker said.

"One of the most common things I hear at neighborhood watch meetings and 'Night Out' are neighbors saying to each other, 'I've been living here for so long but never really met you!'," said Revel-Whitaker. "These days we're spending most of the time working or with family.  This is a rare chance for us to get out into our front yard and get to know our neighbors."

"Block parties" will be closed to the public and only involve members of each respective neighborhood watch group, according to Revel-Whitaker.  If you would like to find out which neighborhood watch group or activity is nearest to your home, please contact Shannon Revel-Whitaker at 925-931-5240 or srevel@ci.pleasanton.ca.us.