West Valley To Hold Annual National Night Out Tuesday‎

The West Valley Los Angeles Police Department is holding this year's National Night Out event on Tuesday at Randal D. Simmons Park for the communities of Encino, Reseda, Tarzana and Van Nuys.

National Night Out is a nationwide affair designed to increase police-community partnerships and heighten crime and drug prevention awareness. The main focus of this year’s event, however, is community emergency preparedness.

The free event is being held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Randall D. Simmons Park, which is located at the southwest corner of Wilbur Avenue and Vanowen Street in Reseda, next to the West Valley Area Police Station.

There will be informational booths on how residents and businesses can prepare for a major earthquake. Additionally, the event will feature a free barbecue and children's movie under the stars.

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 and West Hollywood.

The LAPD Devonshire Division and City Councilman Mitchell Englander, who represents a small portion of Encino, will be hosting “Movies Under the Stars” Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Chatsworth’s Mason Park.

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