In its highest turnout ever, the Department of Community Justice had over 30 employees participate in this year’s National Night Out. National Night Out (NNO) is an annual celebration across Multnomah County and in over 15,000 communities across the country. NNO is not one event but rather a series of parties organized by concerned citizens and Neighborhood Associations. The purpose of these parties is to bring citizens together with local public safety agencies, public officials, organizations and businesses for a night to:
- Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
- Strengthen neighborhood spirit and public safety-community partnerships; and
- Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
Parole/Probation Officers and Juvenile Court Counselors responded to the questions of community residents all the while handing out glow sticks and public safety stickers to children. DCJ’s bike patrol also visited several locations. Overall, DCJ participated in seven neighborhood parties throughout the week at various locations across the County:
Downtown Portland:
- SW Park Ave and SW Harrison St, 6-9pm, approx party size: 700 people
Rosewood:
- SE 155th and Main (Park Lane Park), 4-11pm, approx party size: 700 people
North/Northeast Parks:
- NE 7th & Fremont (Irving Park), 6-8pm, approx party size: 50 people
- 510 N. Shaver (Unthank Park), 6-9pm, approx party size: 100 people
- 700 N Rosa Parks Way (Peninsula Park), 5:30-8:30, approx party size: 600 people
- NE 13th and Holladay (Holladay Park), 5-8pm, approx party size: 1000 people
- N. Trenton & N Newman (McCoy Park), 6-8pm, approx party size: 2500 people