Neighbors join to thwart crime
More than 100 parties throughout the Spokane area Tuesday night offered free food and a chance to chat with neighbors.
But the annual National Night Out events were more than just social activities.
They were part of an effort to make streets safer by bringing neighborhoods together to fight crime.
Held in front lawns, store parking lots, churches and parks, the events also gave neighbors an opportunity to discuss safety-related issues with law officers and city officials.
About 130 events were held this year, a slight decrease from 2005, said Maurece Vulcano, Spokane COPS program manager.
This was the first year businesses joined the roster of sponsors.
At Target in north Spokane, orange cones and red balloons marked off part of the parking lot for a barbecue. About 50 adults and children munched on free hot dogs and talked with representatives of the Spokane Police Department, American Red Cross and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Volunteers from Operation Family ID fingerprinted and took photos of children for their parents to file in case the kids go missing.
“If some stranger took you away from me, they’d find you just like that,” Adrianna Blonder said to her 5-year-old son, Tyrese Alvarez-Blonder.
A volunteer dressed as “PFD Panda” – PFD standing for “personal flotation device,” or what used to be called lifejackets – waved at passersby as part of the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s efforts to promote boating safety.
A small crowd gathered around Spokane Police Officer Shawn Kendall and his partner, a German shepherd named Stryder.
“They’re work dogs,” Kendall said. “They’re not pets.”
One of the city’s five canine teams, Kendall and Stryder gave out trading cards featuring their picture.
In west-central Spokane, neighbors of Virginia Litzenberger attended her 23rd party at the 2700 block of West Mallon Avenue.
“I can’t tell my relatives from my neighbors now,” said Margie Millar, who’s lived on the block for about 30 years.
Millar said criminals are outnumbered by neighbors on the street.
Neighbor Joe Boughter, who helped organize the event, agreed. The 55-year-old Vietnam Veteran said he once chased down and tackled a man who smashed a Cadillac window down the street. Another time, he chased a would-be car stereo thief until the man fell over a fence and stopped fleeing.
Police don’t always show up quick enough to catch criminals, so neighbors have to watch each others’ backs, he said. Incidents of graffiti, for example, ceased after neighbors got to know the culprits, he said.
About 65 people, as well as McGruff the Crime Dog, attended the party, Litzenberger said.
Apartment manager Sean Stevenson served 150 hot dogs to residents at the El Estero Apartments at 2130 E. North Crescent Avenue. Part of the city’s Crime Free Multi-Housing Program, the complex features lighting and landscaping designed to deter crime, Stevenson said.
Community events such as the block party have helped improve the neighborhood, said Sue and Ray Eller, of a nearby apartment complex. Car thefts used to be a problem there.
“You’d call up, and the cops would know right where you were,” Sue Eller said.