For the 15th year, there will be a party at Columbia Park to celebrate and strengthen the bond between local law enforcement and community members through the National Night Out program.

The city of Turlock’s 2024 National Night Out will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 6. This year’s campaign will offer free food, games and entertainment throughout the evening, including bounce houses and the park’s Splash Pads operating for extended hours until 8:30 p.m.

Turlock Chief of Police Jason Hedden read and presented a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Amy Bublak during the city council’s latest meeting on Tuesday, endorsing the department’s work in co-hosting this year’s festivities alongside the National Association of Town Watch.

“The 41st annual National Night Out provides a unique opportunity for the city of Turlock to join forces with thousands of other communities around the country in promoting cooperative police and community crime prevention efforts, and whereas the city of Turlock plays a vital role in assisting the Turlock Police Department through joint crime drug and violence prevention efforts in the city of Turlock and is supporting National Night Out 2024 locally, and whereas it is essential that always, the city of Turlock be aware of the importance of crime prevention programs and the impacts that their participation can have on reducing crime drugs and violence in the city of Turlock, and whereas police community partnerships, neighborhood safety awareness and cooperation are important themes of the National Night Out program,” Hedden read to the room.

“On behalf of Mayor Amy Bublak and the entire City Council, I do hereby call upon all residents of the city of Turlock to join the City of Turlock and the National Association of Town Watch in supporting the 41st annual National Night Out On August 6, 2024,” he continued.

In addition to the activities, there will be a special unveiling for three murals painted by local artist Nicolle Jones.

In late April, after receiving approval from the Turlock City Council, Jones — working with the Stanislaus Arts Council and funded through the Heartland Creative Corps grant — began working on the murals at the longstanding park located in the heart of Turlock’s westside neighborhoods. Each mural will share messages of love and positivity.

“They’re all done and we can’t wait to have a ceremony with the community out to see them,” said Juan Vargas of the city’s Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities office.

National Night Out originally began in 1984 and involved 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states. Today, there are 17,000 participating communities across all 50 states, with Turlock joining in 2009. Aside from improving community and officer relations, National Night Out aims to promote a myriad of crime prevention efforts.

“We're looking forward to a great evening,” added TPD Crime Prevention Officer Melanie Suffecool at the council meeting. “We hope to see you all there.”

For questions about this year’s National Night Out, community members are encouraged to contact the Turlock Police Department at (209) 668-5550.