National Night Out
- Livable El Cerrito
- Aug 6
- 4 min read
Updated: Aug 13
Neighbors turned out for about two dozen block parties held Tuesday to mark the 28th annual National Night Out in El Cerrito. They came for the chance to talk with neighbors and meet police officers, firefighters, and other city representatives – and to have some fun.
At outdoor tables next to Well Grounded Tea and Coffee Bar on Stockton Avenue at Norvell Street, Police Chief Paul Keith spoke with a crowd of about 50 people while they enjoyed free hot dogs and side dishes provided by the business. City Manager Karen Pinkos accompanied the chief and spoke individually with residents.
Police Use of Technology
Keith said his department’s use of license plate reading cameras has made it easier to find stolen vehicles.
Technology even led to the arrest of one would-be car thief who was caught in the act after a camera in the area alerted officers of a person who entered an Acura through the moonroof. When police arrived, the person’s feet and legs were sticking out of the moonroof, Keith said.
He also said his department bought two new e-bikes in July. Keith didn’t describe a plan for their use, but said the city will be revisiting its policies on which vehicles are allowed on the Ohlone Greenway.
Carquinez Avenue
At a block party on Carquinez Avenue, organizers Laura, Rachel, and Alex said it was the first block party they ever organized, and they were very happy so many people turned out.
“I really want to meet my neighbors and so what I did was I knocked on doors and gave out flyers,” said Laura.
Laura said she’s lived in the neighborhood for 11 years and her neighbor Rachel moved in about three years ago. For National Night Out, Rachel rented a bounce house and a popcorn machine and brought a grill.
“Who knew how many kids were in this neighborhood?” Rachel asked with a laugh. “This is a much better turnout than I imagined.”
Linda Rose, a resident of the neighborhood for 30 years who used to host a block party, said it made her happy to join in a successful party hosted by a new generation of neighbors.
Jordan Avenue
At another party in a hillside neighborhood, neighbors said it’s been going on so long that it has become a tradition. On Tuesday, a crowd of at least 70 people lined up for a gourmet barbecue dinner hosted by Dave Evans on Jordan Avenue.
“It’s the best food in town,” said El Cerrito Fire Department Engineer Peter Benson, who can be considered an expert because of his 18 years of experience working in the city and attending these events.
Neighbors in the line echoed that sentiment.
Evans said he’s lived in his house for 53 years and has been putting on the National Night Out dinner for 25 years.
“I enjoy doing it,” he said. “It’s been my pleasure. My wife passed five years ago and I had to see if I could still do it. And I can.”
Evans spent many years coaching youth baseball in El Cerrito “going way back.” When he first tried to recruit a team of 7-year-olds he couldn’t find enough boys, so he invited girls to join. But after the team’s success that first year, he never had any problem recruiting players.
Portola Drive
A party on Portola Drive out in front of the Ohlone Gardens apartments could be spotted from blocks away because of the extra-large rainbow-colored bounce house and the smell of tacos on the grill. Alecia Elliott, who planned the party, said the apartment management usually holds a National Night Out party every other year. A police officer came by to chat, and so did Crystal Reams, the city’s treasurer.
Well Grounded
Back at Well Grounded on Stockton Avenue, the party was winding down. Parents Jason and Mielle, who had walked over from Central Avenue with their children, were persuading daughter Noa that it was time to climb down from her dad’s shoulders and head back home. The family gave a big thumbs-up to National Night Out.
Event Has Evolved
Back in June, when the City Council was approving a resolution declaring that Aug. 5 would be a National Night Out, council member Rebecca Saltzman said National Night Out is “a fantastic event” and it has evolved over the past 25 years. In her view, the city proclamation was too focused on drug and violence prevention.
“National Night Out has evolved into something so much bigger than that,” Saltzman said. "It’s about bringing together the community with law enforcement and with the fire department. It’s about making sure we’re ready for whatever comes to our community, whether it’s a crime or an earthquake or fire or just needing help from a neighbor when it’s not one of those things.”
It Takes Everybody
At that meeting, Chief Keith said he lives in El Cerrito, loves the community, and feels safe here.
“But I can’t really deny the reality that El Cerrito has the second highest property crime rate in Contra Costa County and the sixth highest violent crime rate. A lot of our violent crime and our property crime impacts the people in El Cerrito who work in our retail zones.
“This is a really low-key opportunity for people to talk to cops in a relaxed environment,” Keith said. “We have a high crime rate and you don’t get to lower the crime rate without everybody chipping in.”
Just wanted to give a shout out to Reba Whitmer and folks on Colusa between Eureka and Hotchkiss who did a great job organizing our Night Out.