By Mike Kinney
Members from all corners of the community played a part in making their neighborhoods safer on Tuesday, while also having a bunch of fun.
The annual National Night Out (NNO) celebration features neighborhood parties in cities throughout the U.S., including West Contra Costa County communities, on Tues., Aug. 2. NNO brings community members together with first responders to enjoy food, entertainment and fun activities, while also strengthening police-community connections and creating safer cities in the process.
In Richmond, the festivities kicked off at 212 South 17th Street with many neighbors enjoying CJ’s BBQ & Fish, ice cream and even a mechanical bull. Video from that party was posted by Michelle Milam, city of Richmond crime prevention manager, at the Richmond Police Department’s Facebook page. NNO concluded at Southside Park, South 6th Street and Virginia Avenue. But there were neighborhood get-togethers throughout the city, nearly 20 of them in total. Richmond Police Chief Bisa French and Mayor Tom Butt were among the city representatives who traveled to various parties to meet and greet local residents.
NNO is “a really great way for us to be able to celebrate neighborhoods coming together,” Milam said.
This year, the Standard stopped by the party held at 32nd Street and Barrett Avenue, near St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. Check out our photos, as well as a few from resident Linda Hemmila from an NNO get together on Ventura Street in East Richmond. See even more photos from various NNO events by visiting the City of Richmond Economic, Environmental and Health Initiatives Facebook page.
Have your own photos from NNO last night? Post them in the comments!
