Salinas Police celebrate National Night Out at 14 locations

It’s an event that dates back 35 years and Tuesday, National Night Out is being celebrated across the Central Coast.

It’s meant to bring the community and cops together for some fun.

This year, the City of Salinas did things a little differently.

Instead of it being in one place, the city has decentralized it.

The goal was to have at least six events happening in neighborhoods, a goal that was more than doubled.

Still, Salinas Police Chief Adele Frese says it’s about much more than just how many events there were.

“This should just be appreciating each other having fellowship and just telling each other that I got your back, I’m looking out for you,” the police chief said.

Of the 14 events happening, one of the biggest was at Laurel Heights Park.

City council member Gloria De La Rosa helped organize it. It’s success came as a pleasant surprise for her.

“Look at all the people who are here I think we’ll have a good report and if it’s successful, I think we need to do this next year,” De La Rosa said.