Bernalillo Police provide food, fun for National Night Out

BERNALILLO — There was a heavy police presence in Bernalillo’s Rotary Park Tuesday night, but it was all in good fun.

Bernalillo Police Department hosted a National Night Out event in the shelter, taking part in a national event in which more than 1,000 departments across the nation participate in annually on the second Tuesday in August.

Officer Clint Sandoval, who led the charge in organizing the event, said it’s an opportunity for residents to turn their porch light on, come out and get to know their neighbors and police officers, ask questions and address concerns.

Also turning out were members of the Bernalillo Fire Department, the town officials and local business vendors who were mingling with the dozens of residents that turned out.

“A lot of these vendors are doing this at no cost ... as a show of support to the community and police department,” said Lt. Bryan Dominguez, who had come to Rotary Park from another National Night Out event at Alegria Del Webb, noting that the events are sponsor-driven.

“It’s great for the community. This is a great way to get out there and answer any questions they have, any concerns,” he said.

Sandoval said that BPD participates in National Night Out annually by hosting an events on both sides of the river and mixing up the locations year to year to reach different areas of the community.

In fact, he said a decision was made to move the event from the open part of Rotary Park to the shelter house by design, noting that he wanted to bring the people closer to the scene of the July 29 homicide of Joshua Williams. It was a move, he said, for the community to be able to feel comfortable accessing that part of the park again.

In addition to the food, raffles and giveaways provided by the police department and sponsors, K-9 Diesel was on hand to meet the residents, and police cars and fire trucks were in the parking lot with lights flashing, catching the eyes of some of the children in attendance.

“It’s great to engage with the kids. They like the cars and the lights,” Dominguez said.

And, it’s not just a fun night for the community. It also allows the police department to show a different side.

“We get to show the community we like to have fun. We’re not always serious,” Dominguez said.