If you were to see a python, a tortoise, a monitor lizard, an alligator and an owl all gathered in Turlock’s Columbia Park, well, you might feel inclined to call the police.
No need.
A good portion of the Turlock Police Department was on hand Tuesday, including Chief Jason Hedden, posing for pictures with all sorts of people and all sorts of critters during National Night Out.
The animals were provided by Cruizin’ Critters of Turlock, and they were a hit with just about everybody.
There were hot dogs, drinks, games, bounce houses, vendors and more than a handful of elected officials and public safety personnel.
Mayor Amy Bublak, vice-mayor Pam Franco, and councilmember Cassandra Abram were on hand, as was new Stanislaus State president Britt Rios-Ellis, who took the reins last month.
“It feels like I’ve been dropped into heaven,” said Rios-Ellis, told the crowd. “I’m so happy to be with you tonight. This is a reminder of how communities can feel like family.”
Ellis helped unveil new murals by local artist Nicolle Jones, a 2010 graduate of CSUS who lives near Columbia Park.
“I’ve always been an artist,” said Jones, who majored in forensics at Stanislaus State. “I didn’t believe that I could be an artist, so I went and got my degree in something else.”
After doing an internship with the county coroner’s office, and finding it difficult to secure work in her chosen field, Jones returned to art. Through a grant from the Heartland Creative Corps and the Stanislaus Arts Council, she was commissioned to do five murals throughout town.
“I wanted to bring beauty to the park,” said Jones. “I think there were over 100 applicants and 17 in Stanislaus County got approved.”
A.J. Borges, along with wife Callie, moved to Turlock 10 years ago from Lodi, and were experiencing National Night Out for the first time.
“We came out to get a feel for what this is like,” said Borges, who was holding son Walker. “It’s good to bring the family and experience what’s it like.”
Erik Schulze, who retired from the city as public works director, was on hand to man the barbecue, standing over hot coals as the temperature exceeded 100 degrees.
“I volunteered for this,” said Schulze, wiping beads of sweat from his forehead. “It’s not that bad. Besides, I’m not ready to give up everything just yet.”
National Night Out is a community-building campaign — held the first Tuesday in August — that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. Established in the suburbs of Philadelphia, the event has been held annually since 1984.
