Under a giant American flag hanging over the south end of downtown Morgan Hill from atop a CalFire ladder truck, local children and families got a chance to play games and hang out with police officers and firefighters—on their own terms—at the Aug. 2 National Night Out.
Uniformed officers from the Morgan Hill Police Department and Morgan Hill Fire Department were joined by other local public safety agencies as they invited kids to climb on their equipment, fire engines, patrol cars, SWAT vehicles and motorcycles throughout the area near the intersection of Monterey Road and Third Street.
City council members and other officials joined the crowds, inviting kids to play street games and take a free serving of ice cream while enjoying live entertainment.
The annual National Night Out is a nationwide event designed to promote positive interaction between public safety officials and the communities they serve. The City of Morgan Hill has participated in the National Night Out for several consecutive years, with the crowd seemingly growing each time.
Morgan Hill Police Chief David Swing said locally, National Night Out is part of the city’s overall public engagement strategy, which strives to build a meaningful and lasting relationship between police and the community. When officers make a traffic stop or respond to a traffic collision or other emergency, their interaction with the public can be somewhat tense, Swing explained.
National Night Out can provide for a much more relaxed setting with police.
“An event like National Night Out allows us to put our guard down and have a little more personal, friendly conversation,” Swing said. “I think we accomplished that” Tuesday night.
Another highlight of the National Night Out festivities was the presentation of the 2016 California Peace Award for the 30th Assembly District to Morgan Hill attorney Juan Lopez. In 2014, Lopez founded “We The People,” an organization that defends the civil rights of Morgan Hill residents and promotes multicultural events in the community, according to 30th Assemblymember Luis Alejo’s staff.
Lopez was one of nine recipients from the 30th district named for the 2016 Peace Award.
“It is my honor to recognize these truly remarkable individuals and organizations who have made it their mission to promote peace throughout all of our communities,” said Alejo (D-Salinas). “The commitment and dedication they have demonstrated for their communities exemplify what this award is all about. It’s everyday heroes like these who help keep our neighborhoods safe.”
MHPD has more events coming up that allow residents to interact with police on friendly terms, Swing added. On Sept. 30, the Morgan Hill Police Officers Association will host its annual golf tournament fundraiser. This year, the tournament will raise money for the Shop With A Cop program, which invites local elementary school student-leaders to join an MHPD officer while they spend a donated $100 gift card at the local Target store.
“That was a huge success last year,” Swing said.
Furthermore, the police department hopes to kick off a regular “Coffee with A Cop” session in the coming weeks, the chief added. This event allows any community member to join an officer for coffee at a time and place in Morgan Hill specified beforehand, just to ask questions and offer input. More details about this event will be announced as they are available.
