Join Manhattan Beach Police For National Night Out Tonight

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — As in keeping with the nature of first responders, not even COVID-19 will stop the Manhattan Beach Police Department from once again participating in the annual National Night Out. Designed to enhance "the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community," MBPD typically celebrates the event the first Tuesday in August, and even with COVID-19 changing the ability of neighbors and police officers to gather and learn more about each other during informal neighborhood events, the department is holding its National Night Out.

The MB event takes place tonight from 5-8 p.m. and community members are encouraged to be on the lookout for MBPD officers and give a friendly wave when they spot them. "Unfortunately, [the event is] not like it has been in the past, but we will be out there driving around the city showing appreciation to the community for their support," Officer Christopher Ineguez told Manhattan Beach Patch. Officers will have some badge stickers to hand out to kids during those hours and will make short stops to do so, he said.

In Manhattan Beach, where the tradition is deeply rooted, neighbors typically gather and host outdoor barbecues, pizza dinners, dessert stops and invite MBPD to stop in to visit, chat and eat. In addition to officers, the police chief, captains, lieutenants and sergeants join in and mingle at the neighborhood socials, all in the spirit of developing interactive community relations between residents and the police. National Night Out typically "provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances," say National Night Out organizers.