A big turnout for the Burbank Police sponsored National Night Out 2022. The event began at 5:30 p.m. last Tuesday, Aug. 2, when the temperature was still above 80 degrees. Despite the heat they came, some pushing strollers with dogs on leashes and kids in tow. Burbank PD estimates the crowd at around 750.
“For the second year in a row, we held the event at Johnny Carson Park, which allowed us to provide a larger space for community members to gather, engage in fun activities for the entire family, enjoy food and refreshments from Burbank establishments, and engage in positive police-community conversation.” said Police Information Officer Sergeant Brent Fekety in an email statement. Fekety went on to say, “This year’s turnout was by far the largest we have seen, and we thank the community for helping make National Night Out a success.”
Nationwide Event
NNO is a nationwide campaign aimed at strengthening communication between law enforcement and the communities and neighborhoods they serve. The campaign “promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to help make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.” according to Fekety.
A variety of exhibits, displays, and booths were set up by Burbank City departments as well as the California Highway Patrol, U.S. Marines and local community groups like Elevate Burbank. A D.J. kept the music playing. A number of city officials were seen mingling in the crowd. Among them, Mayor Jess Talamantes, Councilmember Sharon Springer, and Vice Mayor Konstantine Anthony.
City Council Race
Springer and Talamantes are up for re-election. Springer is running for council again. I gave Talamantes a chance to make his intentions known, but he just smiled and stayed mum on the subject. Two other council candidates were spotted at the event, Burbank Library Trustee Nikki Perez and Burbank City Clerk Zizette Mullins. Voters will be given a chance to fill three Burbank city council seats on the General Election ballot in November.
Also, Councilmember Bob Frutos was on the scene. Last month, Frutos announced his retirement from the council, effective in December. After a recent bout with COVID, Frutos appears to be back in the swing. During a brief chat, Frutos told me he is feeling just “fine.” Then, Frutos rushed off to visit some of the neighborhood NNO block parties.
