Saratoga Police Department prepares for a Night Out

The Saratoga Police Department will be blocking the streets and throwing one of the biggest parties of the summer next week, as Saratoga will host its first ever National Night Out.

Tom Knickerbocker, Saratoga Police Chief and organizer of the event, said the National Night out in Saratoga will essentially be a big block party aimed towards crime prevention.

According to its website, the National Night Out is a nationwide event to promote police-community partnership, crime prevention and neighborhood camaraderie. The event involves 37.8 million people and 16,124 communities worldwide.

“Typically its a neighborhood deal,” Knickerbocker said. “But I see Saratoga as one big neighborhood.”

Knickerbocker said the event will include free food, live music, carnival games and door prizes.

“I am trying to gear this event towards families,” Knickerbocker said.

Part of the reason for putting on this event is to give younger children something to do that is safe and in a controlled environment. Even though the event will be held during the county fair, he hopes Saratoga residents stick around for a local event.

“The one thing I constantly here from the public is that there is nothing here for the kids to do,” Knickerbocker said. “I guess that was my main objective was to have something for the kids.”

Knickerbocker said he was amazed over the enormous amount of support from local businesses and residents he’s received so far. Most businesses in Saratoga have donated prizes or resources for the event. He’s only had to spend $90 to help with the event.

“I’m floored. I didn’t expect that amount of support,” Knickerbocker said.

Some of the door prizes include a float-trip with Harrison’s Guide Service, a free tire-rotation and a car wash and detail from Hilltop Lube, a free prime dinner for two at the Wolf and Shivley’s donated a H&K .40 semi-automatic handgun. There will be a prize given out every half hour.

Most of the Saratoga council and mayoral candidates have agreed to help serve food, Knickerbocker said. The Saratoga Volunteer Fire Department has volunteered to help with many of the carnival games.

The goal is to make the National Night Out an annual event in Saratoga. Any donations made during the event will automatically be cycled into next year’s event.

The National Night Out will start at 5 p.m. and go until dusk, on Aug. 5 between Spring Avenue and Third Street.