Police stations across San Francisco are preparing for an evening of fun and games with local citizens tonight, in honor of National Night Out.
Since the early 1980s, police departments around the U.S. have organized public gatherings on the first Tuesday in August, in an effort to stem crime by strengthening relationships between officers and the community members they serve.
This year's National Night Out comes as communities across the country grapple with recent officer-involved shootings and fatal attacks on police officers, and the San Francisco Police Department re-evaluates its use of force procedures and begins the hunt for a new, permanent police chief.
Nine of San Francisco's 10 police districts will host light-hearted events for their communities tonight. In addition to meeting local officers and learning about safety resources available to the public, residents of all ages will find a slew of activities to keep them busy through the evening.
Central Station's event at the Salesian Playground will have a DJ, a bouncy house and climbing wall for children, and the opportunity to meet the SFPD's canine unit, while Southern Station is throwing a party at Draves Park with acrobats, prizes, and pizza.
Across town at the MLK/Bayview Playground, Bayview Station is hosting a healing circle and screening of the film Zootopia. And Mission District residents are all invited down to their local station at 630 Valencia St. for an open house.
More details on these and all of the National Night Out events planned across the city are available on SFPD's website.
