Countywide : Residents Observe National Night Out

Residents throughout Orange County attended parties, fairs and other festivities Tuesday night as part of the 10th annual National Night Out campaign against crime and drugs.

Hundreds of people showed up at the Tustin Marine Corps Air Station, which was converted into a carnival-like fair, where children were fingerprinted and had their bicycles registered free.

Karen Schmidt of Tustin, who had her twin sons fingerprinted, said, “This teaches them the good and bad about drugs and crime and lets them know that the police are the good guys.”

Tustin firefighters, Orange police officers, base military police and representatives of other Orange County law enforcement agencies were on hand to distribute information on crime and drug prevention and answer questions.

Organizers of the event said it helped residents understand what can be done to prevent drug abuse, crime and violence.

“People are learning what they can do to protect themselves in and around their homes and become more aware of what drug abuse is all about,” Cpl. Adam A. Catan said.

“The idea is to heighten crime prevention awareness and generate support and participation in local anti-crime and anti-drug programs,” said Matt Peskin of Wynnewood, Pa., National Night Out coordinator and creator of the event.

Peskin said 8,600 communities throughout the country participated this year.

“This is a night for law-abiding citizens to join forces with local law enforcement and show criminals that we’re mad as hell and not going to take it any more,” Peskin said.

The event was organized locally by law enforcement agencies and community groups throughout the county.

Anaheim police sponsored a fair complete with canine units, helicopter and other police exhibits, games, food and free fingerprinting and bike registration at Peralta Park. The Sheriff’s Department held a fair focusing on personal and home safety devices in San Clemente.

Meanwhile, residents across the county turned on their porch lights from 8 to 10 p.m. and went outside to talk to neighbors in an effort to find ways to prevent crimes where they live.