Local law enforcement prepares for National Night Out

SOLEDAD, Calif. (KION) The Soledad Police Department is preparing for tomorrow's National Night Out, a day where police connect and engage with the community.

They plan on having a low-rider car show, Azteca dancers, and a myriad of free goodies for the public.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that aims to bridge the gap between communities and local law enforcement to create a sense of camaraderie amongst residents. With 2020 being a tumultuous year for police, law enforcement in Soledad feels it's imperative to have events like this.

"Now more than ever, it's a little bit more difficult especially due in part to social media, for the community to really with the local officers as more than a uniform. We are people, we are people that are here to help on a day that isn't as fun as National Night Out to form that trust and that bond that really, we can't really do our jobs without" said Gretta Steinbruner, a Reserve Officer for the Soledad Police Department.

The event will be hosted at the Soledad Community Center. Salinas Police Department is having officers attend block parties in Salinas hosted by different organizations and neighborhoods.

It is an annual campaign that brings out the fact that there needs to be that working relationship between the police department and the community," said Commander Lalo Villegas from the Salinas Police Department.

National Night Out is scheduled for August 3rd from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Soledad and will start at 4 p.m. in Salinas in various neighborhoods.