Los Altos National Night Out a Big Success

They may have stood out in their uniforms, but Los Altos police officers blended in as members of the community at Montclaire Elementary school—home to one of ten National Night Out events that took place in the city Tuesday evening. 

Local officers joined a couple hundred residents of all ages for the Highlands neighborhood meet-and-greet at the school's lunch tables. Appetizers, sides and salads, entrees and (of course) dessert each had a separate table at the potluck picnic.

The highlight? A special cake thanking the police department for "a job well done."

"I think this is great," said Los Altos City Councilmember Jarrett Fishpaw, who was on hand at Montclaire. "The quality of our law enforcement is pretty high and an important part of that is for them to take on a public relations role, to interact with the community, to really show that law enforcement is on your side."

Over half a dozen officers were present—answering questions, showing off their motorcycles and squad car to children, and even clocking baseball pitches at the nearby field.

All around Los Altos, from the condo clubhouse of nearby Toyon Farms, to University Avenue in old Los Altos, neighbors gathered and police went to meet them. There were two gatherings on North Avalon Drive, and one each on Lockhart Lane, San Domingo Way, University Avenue, Valencia Drive, Golden Way, Montclaire Court and Toyon Farm.

Los Altos Police Captain Andy Galea, who has been in the city for a year and a half after working in San Jose, was quite pleased with  Tuesday's atmosphere and turnout in the Highlands.

"This is a special community here. People know one another, they enjoy being together," Galea said. "In terms of organization and community involvement, I've very impressed with what Los Altos has put together." 

Much of the organizing was done by resident Andy Wong, who could be seen roving from table to table throughout the evening with name tags in hand, helping everyone get acquainted.

"This is really a great event, something everybody looks forward to every year," said Wong.

Now in his fourth year as a planner, Wong remarked that community involvement has made organization into a "pretty well-oiled machine."

"We have a really good communication, everybody's on an email list, we print out flyers and invite them to come," Wong added. "Everybody pitches in and comes together."