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Code enforcement Officer Deborah Calvillo (right) dances with Menlo Park Mayor Cecilia Taylor (left) at National Night Out at the Belle Haven Community Campus in Menlo Park on August 6, 2024. Photo by Devin Roberts. 
David (left) and Chief Dave Norris at National Night Out at the Belle Haven Community Campus in Menlo Park on August 6, 2024. Photo by Devin Roberts. 
Officer Jelani Hardaway at National Night Out at the Belle Haven Community Campus in Menlo Park on August 6, 2024. Photo by Devin Roberts. 
Israel from East Palo Alto uses the radio inside an AMR Ambulance at National Night Out at the Belle Haven Community Campus in Menlo Park on August 6, 2024. Photo by Devin Roberts. 
Menlo Park Police Officers at National Night Out at the Belle Haven Community Campus in Menlo Park on August 6, 2024. Photo by Devin Roberts. 
Patrol Commander Wilson Lau speaks with visitors at National Night Out at the Belle Haven Community Campus in Menlo Park on August 6, 2024. Photo by Devin Roberts. 
AMR Ambulance at National Night Out at the Belle Haven Community Campus in Menlo Park on August 6, 2024. Photo by Devin Roberts. 
National Night Out at the Belle Haven Community Campus in Menlo Park on August 6, 2024. Photo by Devin Roberts. 
Belle Haven Lead Organizer Juanita Croft at National Night Out at the Belle Haven Community Campus in Menlo Park on August 6, 2024. Photo by Devin Roberts.
Menlo Park community members and police showed up to National Night Out events across the city. National Night Out is an annual campaign meant to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie
“We at MPPD are thrilled with the public turnout,” said Menlo Park Police Chief Dave Norris in an email to this news organization. “We are incredibly grateful for our connection with our community, and cherish it!”
There was face painting, food, music, dancing, a bouncy house and more at the National Night Out event at Kelly Park, behind the new Belle Haven Community Campus. Residents were able to meet their local police officers. Kids also got the chance to ride in an ambulance and learn how to use the radio from San Mateo County EMTs.
Neighbors also held other local block parties at Cafe Zoe in The Willows neighborhood, and on University Drive near downtown Menlo Park.
The Menlo Park Police Department estimates that about 700 people turned up to National Night Out events across the city.
“National Night Out is my favorite event of the year, as it represents a time for our team to make pure, unencumbered connections with our public, outside of our usual calls for service,” said Norris. “We were thrilled to send multiple teams of (Police Department) representatives across all our sworn and professional staff positions and met and connected with so many of our amazing community members.”
The Atherton Police Department also held a National Night Out event at Holbrook-Palmer Park, which featured food, face painting, music, a petting zoo and the chance to meet local police officers.
