Residents rally for safety

GLENDALE — More than two dozen National Night Out events are scheduled for Tuesday as organizers look to bring neighbors together and increase participation in crime-fighting.

Roughly 1,500 residents are expected to attend 26 neighborhood events being held throughout Glendale, Police Officer Matt Zakarian said.

The community-driven celebrations allow residents to get acquainted with one another, hopefully leading them to organize their own neighborhood watch groups, he said.

National Night Out was established in 1984, with 400 communities in 23 states. More than 35.4 million people worldwide participated last August, according to the event’s website.

Glendale began hosting a city-organized event several years ago. Last year, however, officials decided to open it up and encourage residents to host their own events.

To expand participation this year, Glendale police launched its first website — glendalenno.com — allowing residents to connect with one another and find neighborhood events.

Glendale police officials and residents have been preparing for today’s events for several months, and have met every week the last three weeks to discuss plans, Zakarian said.

Sycamore Woods resident Julia Leeper helped organize an eight-block event, allowing residents to sample potluck food items and collect stamps to participate in a raffle, she said.

Following in the tradition of potluck dinners, Riverside Rancho resident Lisa Herron is allowing neighbors to use her front yard and barbecue.

“I know a lot of the neighbors don’t know each other,” Herron said.

Local businesses have donated prizes and gift certificates for the event’s raffle, she added.

Forming a watch group in her Crescenta Highlands North neighborhood on the 3500 block of Santa Carlotta Street is what prompted Julie Richards to host a dessert event.

She invited residents living from New York Avenue to Dunsmore Avenue to participate in the event, she said.

“We are really hoping everybody comes out and gets to know their neighbors,” Richards said.

FYI

National Night Out community events, which typically start at 6 p.m.

•Crescenta Highlands North, 5000 block of Lauderdale Avenue in La Crescenta.

•Crescenta Highlands North, 3500 block of Santa Carlotta Street in La Crescenta.

•Quail Canyon, 5300 block of Quail Canyon Road in La Crescenta.

•Crescenta Highlands North, 3200 block of Los Olivos Lane in La Crescenta.

•Crescenta Highlands South, 3600 block of Third Avenue in La Crescenta.

•Crescenta Highlands South, Mayfield and Boston avenues in La Crescenta.

•Glenwood Oaks, 3900 block of El Lado Drive in La Crescenta.

•Sycamore Woods, Sycamore and Cloud avenues in Glendale.

•Malafia Drive, 3600 block of Malafia Drive in Glendale.

•Montecito Park, Vickers Drive and Sparr Boulevard in Glendale.

•Verdugo Woodlands Neighborhood Watch, 1600 block of Santa Rosa Avenue in Glendale.

•Chevy Chase Canyon Library, 3300 block of East Chevy Chase Drive in Glendale.

•College Hills, 1200 block of Swarthmore Drive in Glendale.

•Rossmoyne/Mountain Homeowners Assn., Nibley Park, 1100 block of East Mountain Street in Glendale.

•Casa de Adobe Park, 1300 block of Dorothy Drive in Glendale.

•Pelanconi Estates, 1300 block of Idlewood Road in Glendale.

•Pelanconi Estates, 800 block of Arden Avenue in Glendale.

•National Night Out event, 1000 block of Kenneth Road in Glendale.

•National Night Out event, 1500 block of Kenneth Road in Glendale.

•National Night Out event, 1300 block of Irving Avenue in Glendale.

•Riverside Rancho, 1400 block of Randall Street in Glendale.

•First Baptist Church, 200 block of North Louise Street in Glendale.

•Pacific Park, 500 block of South Pacific Avenue in Glendale.

•New Horizons Family Center, 700 block of South Glendale Avenue in Glendale.

•Gardens on Garfield, 300 block of East Garfield Avenue in Glendale.

•PATH Achieve Glendale, 400 block of Fernando Court in Glendale.

•Adams Hills Homeowners Association, South Adams Street and East Palmer Avenue in Glendale.