This time last year Carson City experienced a downpour that turned Mills Park into swamp land and forced the last-minute cancellation of National Night Out.
As the Carson City region continues to experience similar and strange weather this summer, the skies threatened a bit but ultimately held out for the 13th annual National Night Out with an astounding community turnout. It was as if locals had put all their energy from last year's disappointment to this year's celebration.
It was quite simply Carson City's biggest neighborhood block party with a theme, purpose and a huge community support system to back it up. While there wasn't an official head count, it is safe to say several thousand packed Mills Park Tuesday.
"This turnout is amazing, thank you Carson City for showing up and for caring," said organizer Lisa Davis on behalf of the Carson City Sheriff's Office, which hosts the event. Carson City Undersheriff Steve Albertsen filled in for Sheriff Ken Furlong, who helped grow National Night Out Carson City from a few hundred people to several thousand. Furlong is in New Orleans accepting an award on behalf of DARE, which is also instrumental in National Night Out and the sheriff's office second biggest event, the annual Cops and Kids held annually in May.
Albertsen and Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell greeted event goers with praise and thanks from representatives from the offices of Sen. Dean Heller, Sen. Harry Reid and Congressman Mark Amodei. Each thanked Carson City residents for making the event a success and emphasized Carson City's role in making crime fighting and domestic violence awareness community priorities.
In fact, this year's National Night Out event emphasized domestic violence awareness and the work of Advocates to End Domestic Violence, Carson City's shelter for battered women and children.
National Night Out Carson City is not only designed to bring awareness to crime and help bring locals and law enforcement agencies together to share information, but it has also turned into a network of meet and greets, where dozens of local agencies, nonprofit organizations and even churches come to introduce themselves to the community.
To say that the 2015 Carson City National Night Out was a success is an understatement. By 5:30 p.m. parking within Mills Park and the Carson City Community Center had filled. By 6 p.m. Families were parking along side streets just to access the park.
National night Out is paid for by Justice Assistance Grants, the Carson City Sheriff’s Office, and donations from local businesses. Sponsors are Grocery Outlet, Partnership Carson City, Northern Nevada Coin, Carson City Target Store, Sparks Target Store, ADT Security LLC, Carson City Downtown Business Association, Dan Kimm Rock It Productions, Dave’s Supplies, CalNeva Towing, Casino Fandango, Elks Lodge #2177 and Emblem Club, Manny’s One Stop Shop, Valley Towing, American Family Insurance, Carson Now, The Spoke Bar and Grill, Jamba Juice, Economy Speed Press and Liz’s Biz.
A big thank you also goes out to The Carson City Sheriff's Office Mounted Unit which plays an important part at public event.