Hayes Valley Gets Ready
to Celebrate

5th Annual National Night Out

By Richard Johnson

Hayes Valley Community Partners, of which the HVNA is a partner, is gearing up for the 5th Annual National Night Out Event. The event is used as a way to gather diverse neighbors to come out and reclaim the neighborhood from crime and violence. National Night Out (NNO) is celebrated in all 50 states with over 10,000 cities participating in this national event. The essence of National Night out is to:

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anti-crime programs,
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and
• Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

These goals encompass all the actions currently needed to reverse the current state of our neighborhood. All around there is broken car glass, homes are being broken into, shootings continue to happen on a regular basis, and drug dealing is rampant. We need to once again stand up as a community and reclaim our neighborhood from violence and crime.

Photo: Barbara Wenger

Local events include a gathering at Hayes Valley Playground from 5-7:30pm, including social time, food and beverages, entertainment and more. Join your neighbors and be empowered as we step out together in solidarity.

Come to this month’s HVNA general meeting and hear about the scheduled events being planned to celebrate NNO on Tuesday August 1st . If you are unable to make the meeting please visit the HVNA website at www.hayesvalleysf.org for details of scheduled events.