In Boyle Heights and across the country today, communities will gather to take a stand against crime in their neighborhoods.
Hollenbeck Police Station will host “National Night Out,” an annual event that aims to increase awareness and strengthen participation in local anti-crime efforts held on the first Tuesday of August.
Now in its 28th year, the free event will offer food, entertainment and an informational fair where various organizations from the Hollenbeck Division will offer resources on various programs.
As our youth reporter Charlie Patino reported in June, crime in Boyle Heights has seen a change in the recent years. From Patino’s article:
“Even though the neighborhood is enjoying the lowest crime levels anyone can remember, gang violence in Boyle Heights hasn’t gone away. At least 20 different gangs still call Boyle Heights home. Last year, nearly six percent of the murders in Los Angeles took place in Boyle Heights, according to LAPD data.”
Hollenbeck Community Police Advisory Board Co-Chair Margarita Amador, says it’s vital for residents to work together with their local police department to keep crime down. “We are the eyes and ears of the department and together we have successfully contributed to the reduction in crime,” said Amador.
Community residents are welcome to participate in a peace march that will start at 5:30 p.m at Dolores Mission Church and stop at Hollenbeck Police Station for a rally and program, followed by a second march from the station at 6:30 p.m. Organizers expect the event will draw about 700 to 900 participants from the Hollenbeck Division, which covers the communities of Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Montecito Heights, Hermon, Hillside Village, and University Hills.
National Night Out Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011
Dolores Mission is located at 170 South Gless Street, Los Angeles CA, 90033
Hollenbeck Police Station is located at 2111 East First St, Los Angeles, CA 90033
