There was a SWAT vehicle parked outside the Shoreline Middle School in Live Oak last night, but that was no cause for alarm. Kids (and parents) were exploring the urban tank and learning about the local police force, part of National Night Out.
There was a SWAT vehicle parked outside the Shoreline Middle School in Live Oak last night, but that was no cause for alarm. Kids (and parents) were exploring the urban tank and learning about the local police force, part of National Night Out.
This was the police as people don’t often see them, reaching out to the community, explaining what they do and taking part in the fun. Police Chief Manny Solana of Watsonville was there to show residents an old police cruiser—they’ve come a long way since the 1960s. Meanwhile, at another event, Deputy Sheriff April Skalland was preparing to come under fire … in a dunking tank.
“We want the community to know we’re real people like everyone else,” said Skalland, while she was still dry. We want them to know they can work with us as partners in solving crimes.”
That was precisely the point of the event. The police wanted to put a human face on their work, and encourage partnerships with community groups. “This is another visible example that the good in this community far outweighs the bad that takes place,” said Solano.
Violent crime has been on the rise recently due to a number of factors. At the same time, police officers are subject to the same harsh cuts as other city and county workers. Solano hopes that by getting the community more involved, the current crime wave can be beat.
Based on the positive response throughout the county, it looks like the police—and the civilian population—are heading in the right direction. Read more at the Santa Cruz Sentinel and KION.
