National Night Out on Tuesday will bring block parties and chances to speak directly with police, firefighters and local officials at various homes, churches and parks throughout Salem.

National Night Out happens in communities across the country on the first Tuesday in August, and is meant to foster deeper community connections. 

Hedrick said in addition to the police department crew, Mayor Julie Hoy, Interim City Manager Krishna Namburi, Council President Linda Nishioka, and city councilors Irvin Brown, Shane Matthews, Deanna Gwyn and Micki Varney are expected to make their rounds.

Deputy Chief Debra Aguilar said she has attended events during National Night Out at least 10 times during her 25 years with the Salem Police Department. She said over the years, she has been constantly impressed with the sense of community across town. 

“I’ll go to these parties and sometimes there will be upwards of a hundred people there enjoying food, and sometimes they will have live music. It makes me feel optimistic about Salem and where we are heading,” Aguilar said. “We have wonderful, vibrant communities. We have people that really care about their communities and you can really tell. They love their communities, they love Salem, and they want to do what they can to make Salem the best version of ourselves.”

Larger block party events are open to the broader public with one on Tuesday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 1230 Winter St. N.E. in Salem’s Grant Neighborhood, one on Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and another in the parking lot at the Salem First Church of the Nazarene at 1550 Market St. N.E. There will be free food and events for kids at the church.

Another event will be held at McKay Park, 2755 Hollywood Dr. N.E., on Wednesday, Aug. 6, starting at 6 p.m.

The smaller neighborhood events will take place across Salem with some starting as early as 4 p.m. and ending as late as 9 p.m., Hedrick said. 

Residents and neighborhood associations are organizing the events, which aim to give neighbors living nearby a chance to come together. 

Aguilar said while National Night Out is a good time for community engagement and a bit of fun, it also plays a role in the police department’s initiative to help reduce community violence. 

“It is an opportunity for the community to get together and get to know each other, and not just communities, but neighborhoods. Know who your neighbor is. Talk to them. Learn who they are,” Aguilar said. 

Aguilar said it is about encouraging a positive and informal type of connection with people. She said in certain communities that might be hesitant to interact with police, it is a chance to at least begin a positive conversation. 

It’s also about encouraging communities to work together in taking a more active role in helping prevent violent crime, she said. 

“Ultimately…law enforcement and the community, we don’t want to lose members of our community to death, or injury or to the prison system,” Aguilar said. “Ultimately we want the same thing. We want people to grow up and be active and positive, productive members of society.” 

While this year’s National Night Out has been pared down compared to previous years due to budget constraints, Aguilar said next year the police department hopes to be able to attend upwards of 100 parties. 

Contact reporter Joe Siess: [email protected] or 503-335-7790.

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