The goal for neighborhoods was to familiarize homeowners and residents with the men and women who patrol their streets, and to communicate and share ideas on ways to abate crime and improve local quality of life.
   “National Night Out is largely symbolic of the potential that’s out there if we can get the community involved with the police department,” said Oakland police Captain David Kozicki. “It’s an effort to come together in a forum where, even if we can’t resolve problems totally, we can get things going in a more positive direction.”
    Kozicki said the people he encounters during National Night Out festivities are often the same people who are already active in the community. Yet each time, he said, he also sees new faces.
   “We really want people to take an interest in the problems in their neighborhood before they become big problems,” said Kozicki.
    National Night Out events took place in parks, police substations and in front of houses, townhouse complexes and apartment buildings.
    Last year Oakland held 156 registered parties, including barbecues and ice cream socials.