This year’s National Night Out event was celebrated across the country, and in Riverbank, some neighborhoods across town hosted gatherings as well.
The event is held annually the first Tuesday of August. The Riverbank locations included gatherings on Gallery Drive, on Glow Road, and ending up at Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt on Oakdale Road in the Crossroads Shopping Center.
At the Gallery Road location, neighbors were hosted by Greg and Catherine Bernardi, who had a couple of popup canopies set up along with a barbecue. They also offered visitors cold beverages and other snacks.
When the caravan of police and fire equipment arrived, the area came to life. In addition to the neighbors, Riverbank Police Services Chief Ed Ridenour and a number of his officers, in their patrol equipment, participated. Firefighters from the Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Department also arrived, on Engine 26, and took time to show neighborhood youngsters how their equipment works. Members of the S.T.A.R.S. unit, volunteers associated with RPS, also were on hand.
A special feature of the event included a fly-over by a Sheriff’s Department helicopter, which made several laps around the Gallery Drive location, occasionally sounding its siren. Riverbank Mayor Richard D. O’Brien and Councilmember Darlene Martinez were also traveling with the group, from site to site, to converse with the neighbors.
“NNO was great,” said Chief Ridenour. “The best part of the events was having casual conversations with the public that we would not normally have the opportunity to do so.”
There were gift bags distributed to the youth at the different stops that had coloring books, pencils, and stickers. Ridenour noted the gift bags were well received by the kids and that they brought “smiles to their faces creating lasting memories for us all.”
Councilmember Martinez was glad to be part of the caravan.
“The Riverbank community seemed to be happy that this event was being held,” remarked Martinez. “They had the opportunity to meet their neighbors and the leaders of the city. Even supervisor (Buck) Condit was present at one of the stops in Crossroads. Everyone seemed to be excited about the Sheriff’s helicopter making an appearance in the sky with their siren on to say “hello.”
The 39th Annual National Night Out had first responders and neighbors joining forces throughout the country. The event is designed to bring crime and drug prevention awareness, participation in local anticrime efforts, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community partnerships.
“The highlight and last stop of the night was to enjoy a treat provided by Menchie’s Yogurt,” added Martinez. “The youth were excited to see the motorcycles, fire truck, and the lights on the sheriff’s cars.”
Chief Ridenour expressed that they are discussing a few different ideas for next year’s event and the possibility of merging NNO with the community BBQ hosted at a local park on the same day.
Reporter Virginia Still and correspondent Ric McGinnis both contributed to this story.
