Dear Neighbors,

 

Evergreen neighborhoods banded together organizing fifteen National Night Out (NNO) events on Tuesday, August 2nd and I was encouraged by this unprecedented local participation during the national organization's 28th year. Public safety is an integral part of my strategy to strengthen our communities, which is why I reached out to neighborhoods encouraging residents to host these events. National Night Out invites neighborhoods to host block-by-block parties, barbeques, ice cream socials and other fun activities that get neighbors out on their streets spending time getting to know each other. Getting to know your neighbors makes you and your neighborhood safer.

 

I wish I could have visited all fifteen events, but I tried to attend as many as time allowed. What I saw as I was greeted by neighbors across Evergreen was the strengthening of neighborhood spirit and public safety partnerships. I also encouraged continuing this neighborhood spirit by supplying neighborhood leaders with Neighborhood Association Starter Kits. Empowered neighborhoods are highly effective in improving the quality of life for you and your neighbors. Here are a few examples of how empowered neighbors have improved their neighborhoods by coming together for common causes. The initial reasons for organizing are varied from neighborhood to neighborhood but the results of empowerment are still the same - making a difference.

 

As I arrived at the first event organized by Maria Lopez and Gracie Garcia-Ramos at Meadowfair Community Center there were children having their faces painted, toddlers enjoying ice cream and a community of cross-generational neighbors who have been united by a common effort to keep their community center open and full of programming. San José Police Lieutenant Danny Acosta, who normally works the night shift, volunteered his time to attend the Meadowfair NNO to get to know the neighbors of his beat. The strength of this neighborhood's unity has been to work with my office to find Kidango, a not-for-profit child development company, to lease the community center. Instead of having an empty community center the community members will have a renovated center with childcare services where they will be able to continue meet.

 

Neighbors of Montecito Drive have a tradition of thirteen consecutive years of celebrating National Night Out. Organizer Karen Teuthorn knows how to make this event friendly and welcoming. As I arrived, local high school and college-aged students were gathered celebrating with their friends and families. Their local garage band played tunes for the crowd and the fire/medic crew from local Fire Station 31 delighted the kids with tours of the fire trucks as well as honorary sticker badges.

 

Pinotin Court residents, organized by Deepna Nishar, were still celebrating into the dark of the evening as well as a sampling of delicious homemade samosas. I encouraged this group of longtime and new Evergreen residents to consider continuing their discussions of neighborhood issues beyond the one night celebration and form a neighborhood association. Pinotin Court kids were ecstatic when Fire Station 31 arrived on their rounds of NNO events.

 

Residents of the Tapestry Park neighborhood celebrated National Night Out in the park with picnic dinners. Organizer Rama Gurram explained to me that they have come together to make sure their kids are safe when playing in the park and that graffiti and tagging is reported and cleaned up. Neighbors here are working toward organizing a new neighborhood association which will help continue their efforts beyond a yearly event to year round community involvement.

 

Some groups, such as the neighbors on Watkins Way, have taken it to the next level showing civic entrepreneurship by engaging in "greening the block" energy talks to address pressing local energy needs. Thanks to organizer Jacqueline Gamaza, Watkins Way residents are looking for innovative ways to address local needs by harnessing the energy and resources from within their neighborhood and come together to prioritize issues and brain storm alternative solutions.

 

As I visited these celebrations of community, I continually encouraged Evergreen residents to continue building relationships within their neighborhoods and consider establishing neighborhood associations in order to equip people to take action within their community. Neighborhood Associations are not a new concept, but now more than ever their role in the community is crucial for many reasons. As municipal budgets and service capacities are stressed and stretched, neighborhood associations can play a role in helping to unite neighborhoods, provide a strong voice for issues affecting them and create an opportunity for creative entrepreneurial solutions.

 

Thanks to all the organizers of these events. It is an encouraging sign that leadership in our community is being fostered and realized. If you received a neighborhood association packet at NNO, consider becoming resident who makes a difference and start your own neighborhood association. Contact my office at (408) 535-4908 or email us at district8@sanjoseca.gov. I am here to support you in your efforts and help you get started.

  

Regards,

 

Councilmember Rose Herrera