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Neighbors Celebrate Oakdale's National Nite Out
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Several Oakdale neighborhoods joined in on the 30th Annual National Night Out – America’s Night Out Against Crime on Aug. 6, celebrating with block parties and park gatherings.

Barbecued hot dogs and hamburgers, live music, kids games, a car show, police and fire department presence, pet micro-chipping, and more were part of the multi-neighborhood event.

Allison Clark, Neighborhood Watch captain for River Paradise Mobile Estates, said they were “pulling out all the stops to have a wonderful time.”

National Night Out is a community-building campaign that focuses on crime prevention awareness, support and participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthening neighborhood unity, promoting police-community partnerships, and sending a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized.

Oakdale Police Department’s Animal Services offered pet micro-chipping at a 50 percent discount, just $10, at two locations. People brought their pets to take advantage of the deal.

River Paradise hosted pet micro-chipping, I.D. and fingerprint kits for children, a popcorn machine, water safety information and a jet ski display from Double D’s Powersports, face painting and games, a movie on senior safety inside the clubhouse, and safety brochures. They also had a giveaway table with canned goods donated from Con Agra, granola bars, kitchen gadgets, kids toys, décor items, and trinkets. Clark reported that the Neighborhood Watch group started planning their event at River Paradise months ago and noted that everything was donated.

The Church Street Neighborhood Watch hosted their party at William Meyer Park with games and bounce houses across the street at Bethel Church. A few booths included resident information and micro-chipping for pets at the park by Animal Services. There was also live entertainment with a vocalist.

The Burchell Hill neighborhood hosted a well-entered car show, a cookie contest, a Kettle Corn booth, ponies to pet from Oakdale Equine Rescue, a softball game, and barbecue. The Oakdale Community Band played tunes in Valley View Park and Oakdale police, fire, and rural fire departments all had vehicles and personnel on hand.

Burchell Hill resident Judy Alvey said that their event was well-organized and that the Neighborhood Watch captains send out monthly fliers and the event organizers gave plenty of advance notice about the event.

According to its website, National Night Out, which first started in 1984, now involves over 37 million people and 15,000 communities from all 50 states, U.S. Territories, Canadian cities, and military bases worldwide.