Parties Planned for National Night Out

Residents of Camarillo and Port Hueneme are planning a series of events next week to celebrate National Night Out--a yearly event observed across the country that highlights crime prevention efforts in local neighborhoods.

Camarillo’s celebrations start at 6 p.m. Monday with an evening of food and music at Constitution Park near Camarillo City Hall, 601 Carmen Drive.

There will be music by local mariachi and rock bands, along with food booths and presentations by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.

On Tuesday, the celebration will move out into the 26 neighborhoods that have Neighborhood Watch groups. Each group will sponsor a block party, which will be visited by top commanders with the Sheriff’s Department.

In Port Hueneme, which is recognizing the event for the first time from 6 p.m to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Neighborhood Watch groups will host cookouts, front porch vigils and flashlight walks. Mayor Tony Volante plans to lead a flashlight walk in his neighborhood.

In addition, police officers will barbecue hot dogs at City Hall and a local pizzeria will donate food.

The National Night Out is in its 14th year. On Tuesday, event organizers say, more than 9,000 communities across the country will participate in the event, which is meant to show that neighborhoods are united against crime.

For more information about events in Camarillo, contact Senior Deputy Dan Place at 388-5130. In Port Hueneme, people should call Crime Prevention Officer Maggie O’Neill at 986-6543.