Betty Ley, 73, has been organizing the Mission Hills Neighborhood Council’s National Night Out for 12 years, and she says that as a volunteer, “I have a big mouth, so I delegate a lot of it.” She sees the annual event as “bringing the community together as one, like a big block party” — this year held in Brand Park.
The highlights for families who attended the Mission Hills event were Mariachi performers, raffle prizes, Los Angeles Police Department horses used by the city’s mounted platoon patrols, and, she said, “really good tacos from a vendor who is giving away his tacos tonight.”
LAPD Deputy Chief Ruby Flores gives a badge sticker to Macy Villatoro, 3-years old, during the Los Angeles Police Department Mission Community Police Station’s National Night Out event at Brand Park in Mission Hills on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Juan Villatoro, 12-years old, cools off with his brother Julian, 8-years old, with some frozen treats during the Los Angeles Police Department Mission Community Police Station’s National Night Out event at Brand Park in Mission Hills on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Organizer Betty Ley speaks with officers during the Los Angeles Police Department Mission Community Police Station’s National Night Out event at Brand Park in Mission Hills on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
LAPD Deputy Chief Ruby Flores gives badge stickers to Natalie Villatoro, sister Nancy and brother Julian during the Los Angeles Police Department Mission Community Police Station’s National Night Out event at Brand Park in Mission Hills on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People talk with officers during the Los Angeles Police Department Mission Community Police Station’s National Night Out event at Brand Park in Mission Hills on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People talk with officers during the Los Angeles Police Department Mission Community Police Station’s National Night Out event at Brand Park in Mission Hills on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People talk with officers during the Los Angeles Police Department Mission Community Police Station’s National Night Out event at Brand Park in Mission Hills on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
People wait in line for tacos during the Los Angeles Police Department Mission Community Police Station’s National Night Out event at Brand Park in Mission Hills on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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LAPD Deputy Chief Ruby Flores gives a badge sticker to Macy Villatoro, 3-years old, during the Los Angeles Police Department Mission Community Police Station’s National Night Out event at Brand Park in Mission Hills on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Ley said LAPD allowed the children to look inside their police cars, and on a more somber note, one group gave out important information about “how dangerous fentanyl is to the community.”
Across the San Fernando Valley, groups were hosting National Night Out events.
The Valley Village Neighborhood Council hosted an evening featuring music, raffles and an “LAPD Glo Stick Walk.” Their annual effort promoted police-community partnerships, and was sponsored by the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry and the office of L.A. City Councilmember Paul Krekorian.
Valley Village residents held a food drive during National Night Out, asking neighbors to bring unopened, nonperishable food for people and pets, which will be given to the food pantry.
