Kids play, learn about National Night Out

Police dogs, water slides, fire trucks, live music and face painting colored National Night Out in Yuba-Sutter on Tuesday evening.

Brian Hansen, 6, may not have been aware of the event's anti-crime theme and probably wasn't overly interested in joining a Neighborhood Watch program — he was fully focused on the prizes he won at the ring toss game at Eufay Woods Park in Plumas Lake.

"I got a Gogo, that was my (favorite part)," he explained.

(A Gogo is a small, brightly colored plastic character from a game called Gogo's Crazy Bones, which is similar to jacks or marbles.)

Brian came with his brother, Austin, and their friend, Caleb Ahr, and his parents, Justin and Carrie Hansen.

"It's nice they have things like this in a small community," Justin Hansen said.

Ashley Mervau of Macaroni Kid coordinated the Plumas Lake event, one of the largest in either county Tuesday night.

"This is the fifth year they've had one (in Plumas Lake), and this is the biggest one so far," Mervau said.

Law enforcement and fire officials made their way between dozens of similar block parties, passing out information about the Neighborhood Watch program, answering questions and connecting with communities.

Across the river at the Sandpiper Cove apartment complex in Yuba City, kids splashed and played on an inflatable water slide and got to meet a Yuba City police dog.

"The best part was when the cops came," said 12-year-old Kelly Hernandez. "They gave us stickers and coloring books and I got to pet their dog."

Resident Vera Harder baked cupcakes with candy and chocolate frosting for the second year in a row.

"They kids are having fun, that's the important part," Harder said.

Harder, however, would like to see the event start earlier in the day. Also, she said, there should be snow cones.

"The kids would get to have more fun," Harder explained.

Yuba City police spokeswoman Shawna Pavey said the event helps strengthen communities.

"There are so many wonderful things about National Night Out," Pavey said. "It allows people to get to know their police department, it bolsters neighborhood watch programs and encourages neighbors and residents to keep an eye on each other."

CONTACT Rob Parsons at rparsons@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4785. Find him on Facebook at /ADcrimebeat or on Twitter at @ADcrimebeat.