Hundreds of San Rafael residents spent Tuesday evening, Aug. 4, sharing ice cream, cold drinks and conversation with the firefighters and police officers who serve their neighborhoods.
The gathering was part of the 43rd Annual National Night Out, a nationwide crime-prevention event built around neighborhood block parties. San Rafael Police Department organized the local edition, scheduling visits by police, fire crews and elected officials to registered neighborhood gatherings between 6 and 8:30 p.m.
Crews from four San Rafael Fire Department divisions — Fire Operations, EMS, Wildfire Mitigation and the Office of Emergency Services — fanned out across the city, according to a recap posted on the city's official newsroom. Some stops were a handful of families with lawn chairs in a front yard. Others filled community centers.
The fire department said the evening was a success and thanked hosts for welcoming crews into their neighborhoods and feeding them well.
SRPD coordinator Antonette Bullock organized the logistics, matching registered parties with visiting first responders and officials. The police department's press release, issued in July, framed the night as a chance to strengthen police-community partnerships and neighborhood unity.
National Night Out asks participants to turn on their porch lights as a symbolic gesture of solidarity against crime. In San Rafael, the tradition has grown into a full evening of cookouts, contests and youth activities hosted block by block.
How to host a party in 2027
Residents interested in registering their own National Night Out party next year should contact the San Rafael Police Department in June 2027. Registration requires a form detailing the location, time, schedule, expected number of attendees and planned activities. Bullock can be reached at 415-485-3114 or [email protected].
Upcoming community events
- Friday, Aug. 7: Dancing Under the Lights, downtown San Rafael, 5–9 p.m.
