Tuesday Is National Night Out at Mason Park, Plus 'Movies Under the Stars'

City Councilman Mitchell Englander will be hosting “Movies Under the Stars” in Mason Park on Tuesday, Aug. 2, as part of National Night Out, a nationwide affair designed to increase police-community partnerships and heighten crime and drug prevention awareness. National Night Out, a free event starting at 7 p.m., comes just as the LAPD reported .

Sponsored by the LAPD Devonshire Division, Supporters of Law Enforcement in Devonshire (S.O.L.I.D.), the Museum of the San Fernando Valley, and the Department of Recreation and Parks, National Night Out will inform citizens on neighborhood vigilance at public safety booths. Additionally, “Movies Under the Stars,” will feature the film “Yogi Bear” along with free children’s activities, raffles, popcorn, soda, and hot dogs.     

Following Senior Lead Officer Daniel Del Valle’s report during the July 28 Neighborhood Watch meeting that murders and aggravated assault have increased in the Devonshire area, this year’s National Night Out is particularly significant.

Recently, there were two murders and a spate of violent crimes in the Devonshire Division area, according to Del Valle. As a result of a love triangle, in one case a husband slit his wife’s throat. The wife survived, but the husband drowned in a swimming pool.

Started by the National Association of Town Watch in 1984, National Night Out was held last year in 15,000 communities in 50 states and several Canadian cities, as well as in U.S. territories and military bases worldwide. More than 37 million people participated in National Night Out 2010, bringing together citizens, law enforcement, civic and neighborhood groups, businesses, and local officials.

Other local communities holding National Night Out events include: Canoga Park, North Hollywood, Panorama City, Studio City, Sylmar, Tarzana, Van Nuys, and West Hollywood.

Citizens will “send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back,” according to the National Night Out web site.