Murrieta Police Invite Community to National Night Out

The Murrieta Police Department is inviting residents to attend National Night Out, an evening when the community can get to know their law enforcement.

The free event, which includes food, will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 2 at .

The will have several static displays, including the department's SWAT truck and equipment, its DUI Trailer, off-road enforcement motorcycles and its police/fire mobile command post vehicle. There will be also be several K-9 and Bloodhound demonstrations, said Murrieta police Capt. Dennis Vrooman.

Other city departments, safety organizations and safety-related businesses have committed to take part with displays and safety information. These include the , Code Enforcement, , the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Police Volunteer Program, Safe Alternatives for Everyone (SAFE), gun store, martial arts/self-defense studio ATP Ministries and others. 

This year marks the 28th Annual National Night Out, which is sponsored by Target and designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community relationships and to send a firm message to criminals, letting them know that our community is organized and will "FIGHT BACK," Vrooman said.

Last year's National Night Out campaign stretched to more than 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, more than 37 million people participated in National Night Out 2010.

"In Murrieta, the police department event is collaborating directly with our local Target stores in coordinating the event," Vrooman said.

Target stores from Murrieta, Temecula, Lake Elsinore and Hemet are sponsoring a barbecue with free hot dogs and drinks. Chipotle will be providing free food samples and Redbull will hand out free drinks, according to Vrooman.

The public is invited to come and picnic in the park with blankets, lawn chairs and easy-ups, Vrooman said.

For vendor information, contact Mary Lee at mary.a.lee@target.com

Additional questions can be directed to the National Night Out headquarters at 610-649-7055.