CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

NBPD to Host National Night Out Anti-Crime Event

The Newport Beach Police Department will participate in the 29th annual National Night Out event scheduled for Tuesday Aug. 7 — the first time the city has participated since 2008 because of budget cuts.

The nationwide event will include a safety fair and a community barbecue from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Bonita Canyon Sports Park.

“Bring your friends, family, and neighbors and join as we give crime ‘A Going Away Party,’” the police website states. The event will include information on crime and drug abuse prevention, home security, child safety, the Citizens’ Police Academy and police volunteers.

The Newport Beach Fire Department will cook and serve hamburgers and hotdogs, and there will be games, crafts, face painting for kids and an appearance by McGruff the Crime Dog. Free child ID safety kits also will be provided, and parents can take photos of kids next to police vehicles.

Hoag Hospital also will have a representative who will take signups for an upcoming police blood drive, said Andi Querry, a crime prevention specialist for the Newport Beach Police Department. Representatives from the Community Alliance Network and Project Path will attend, providing information and statistics about underage drinking and drug abuse within Orange County.

The last time the Newport Beach Police Department participated in the National Night Out event was in 2008. Budget constraints caused the program to be dropped, although the City held a similar Public Safety Day in October 2009 — read our story here — that drew nearly 1,000 visitors.

Querri said about 500 people were expected to attend this year’s Night Out.

“I’m excited that Chief Johnson brought it back because it’s a great event,” she said in an email.

The park is located east of MacArthur Blvd. between Bonita Canyon Drive and Ford Road.