On Tuesday, Aug. 6, the Buena Park Police Department, the city of Buena Park, and Target hosted the National Night Out celebration, bringing community members together for an evening of food, fun and entertainment
On Tuesday, Aug. 6, the Buena Park Police Department, the city of Buena Park, and Target hosted the National Night Out celebration, bringing community members together for an evening of food, fun and entertainment
The 2012 night out celebration brought local residents, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 15,704 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. More than 37.5 million people participated in National Night Out 2012. Locally, Buena Park had over one hundred participants attend last year’s event.
There were plenty of activities for children, including a super soaker event aimed at shooting targets and apparently getting Target employees wet, and a scavenger hunt that culminated with a goody bag after getting signed off at each exhibit.
Parks and recreation employee Adam Kline gave away the payoff for hunt and really enjoys the sense of community spirit.
“There are a lot of kids out here, which is the point of parks and recreation,” he said. “It is all about getting the youngsters to come out.”
The contents of the bag were a secret, Kline said, but worth the journey.
“The kids learn something at the police and fire department exhibits, and once they are finished I give them their prize,” Kline said. “Some of the stops are just games, but that gets them playing and active. I don’t know what is in the bag, but I would guess coloring materials, toys and snacks.”
Residents gathered to take part in a question and answer session with Buena Park Police K9 Officer Devin Boyington and Kondor. Boyington said there is no hard and fast rule for how long a police dog serves.
“It depends on the health of the dog,” he said. “I got him when he was just under two years old, so if he stays in good health I will work him until he is 10, and give him a couple of years of retirement,” he said.
Kondor is currently three.
“I have had him for 18 months,” Boyington said. “Then he will go fishing with his dad.”
Unlike previous years, German Shepherds are not exclusively used for police dogs.
“It shifts back and forth,” Boyington said. “Dobermans and Rottweilers were also used, but the focus seems to be on the Malamar and variations of shepherds.
There is no minimum age to become a police dog.
“If they can cut it they can play,” Boyington said. “The youngest dog I have seen on the force is 18 months.”
Dogs that are trained to sniff for drugs have six weeks of training.
“Patrol dogs also get six weeks training,” Boyington said.
Joining Boyingtom and Kondor from the police department was the SWAT team, which came with a wide array of weaponry.
“We brought entry armor, a fully armored vest that will stop a rifle round,” Officer Jeffrey Vu said. “It also carries spare ammunition like grenades, a Kevlar helmet that will stop a pistol round, and gas masks if we deploy tear gas.”
Weapons on display included the M4 assault rifle.
“That is a standard entry weapon for officers that go into a building pursuing a fight,” Vu said. “It fires at semi-automatic and automatic with a 223-assault round.
The SWAT team also brought teargas and a special deployment tool for its dispersal.
“Teargas grenades burn very hot and if you throw it into a house without the burn-safe tool, there is a high risk the home will catch on fire,” Vu said.
Target volunteers kept themselves busy as the company’s tent was the busiest of the evening.
“This is our third year taking part in the National Night Out event,” event coordinator Josh said. “The Buena Park Police Department is a great partner with Target and in the community and this is a great way to connect everyone with our law enforcement partners.”
The event is growing every year.
“This year we doubled the size of the event, and we have 30 volunteers,” Josh said. “We mentioned this event and everyone here raised their hand and asked to participate.”
For more information on National Night Out, visit www.natw.org/.
