Neighbors Come Together to Celebrate National Night Out

Hundreds of San Mateo residents joined together Tuesday night to celebrate their communities with neighbors and police during the city's annual National Night Out event.

San Mateo police officers and firefighters greeted and chatted with residents while snacking on bags of free popcorn provided by the Police Activities League during the event kickoff at the Martin Luther King Community Center.

Nearing sunset, a live DJ mixed cha cha and salsa music while some folks danced, kids cruised in circles on scooters and other browsed the local vendor booths. In all, the event served as an opportunity for those living in San Mateo to enjoy an evening's worth of entertainment in a safe, carefree environment.

"The most important thing is that this brings people together," said John Rink, a former San Mateo police officer who now helps operate the city's Neighborhood Watch program.

Rink, a San Mateo native, said the event also serves as an opportunity for residents to familiarize themselves with the people in their neighborhood.

In cases when a crime occurs in the neighborhood, the connections made between those living next door to one another can come in handy, because people know who lives and works in the area, said Rink.

The former San Mateo police officer said over a 28-year career he has repeatedly seen the connections made during National Night Out prove invaluable when law enforcement needs a hand solving crimes.

There were 42 National Night Out gatherings in neighborhoods across San Mateo. Similar events were hosted in the Sunnybrae area, as well as on Franklin and South El Dorado streets and on George Avenue, among many other locations.

On Tuesday night eight more National Night Out gatherings took place than had in the previous year, according to Assistant City Manager Matt Bronson.

Kylee Jackson, 11, giggled with her brother 7-year-old Patrick as the two took turns fashioning the mock red fireman's helmet given to them at the event.

The childrens' mother Sharon stood behind them and shared the laughs, while chomping on some of the free popcorn and enjoying the summer evening weather.

"I wish there were more opportunities like this in San Mateo," she said, while tapping her foot to the salsa tuned pumping from the speaker stack. "Events like this really make a person proud to live here."

Jackson said the event also did make her feel like she gained a greater confidence about the kinship she has with her neighbors, and as a result feels a little bit more safe where she lives.

Elsa Robertson echoed Jackson's sentiments, while walking her dog Layla around the event and watching kids play soccer in the park.

"I just feel as if things like this give me a better sense of who should be hanging out in my neighborhood, and who shouldn't," said Robertson, who has lived in San Mateo for five years.

She also said that she appreciates the opportunity to get up close and personal with the fire and police personnel in the city.

"It makes me feel like, God forbid, if there was an emergency, I may have a familiar face come to help," said Robertson.

Robertson said the event also encouraged her to become more active in her Neighborhood Watch program.

As the sun began peaking below the tops of trees, crowds thinned and families left to have dinner at home.

While donning freshly painted tiger whiskers on her face, Kylee Jackson stole one last piece of popcorn from her mom and then hopped on her bike and prepared to race her brother back to their house.

"Too bad they don't have this every night," she said.