National Night Out event draws crowds

Hundreds of Las Crucens, including local law enforcement officials and community leaders, participated in the Aug. 2 National Night Out celebration on Main Street in downtown Las Cruces.

National Night Out “promotes drug and crime prevention, strengthens community relations and encourages neighborhood camaraderie,” the Las Cruces Police Department said in a news release.

Those participating in the event included Mayor Ken Miyagishima, City Manager Ifo Pili, Assistant City Manager Ikani Taumoepeau, City Councilor Tessa Abeyta, state Rep. Nathan Small, city Film Liaison Jon Sepp, Las Cruces Police Chief Miguel Dominguez and Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart, as well as city police officers, sheriff’s deputies, New Mexico State Police Officers and others.

Las Cruces National Night Out had 93 registered participants, including the Las Cruces Police Department and the LCPD K-9 and SWAT teams; Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office (DASO) and the DASO Mounted Patrol; New Mexico State Police; Third Judicial District Attorney’s office; BNSF Railway Police; Children, Youth and Families Department Protective Services; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #8; Las Cruces Fire Department; Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue; the NMSU Police Department; the JR Stewart 141 Foundation; the U.S. Marshals Service; Doña Ana County Fire and Emergency Services; and a number of city and county agencies and nonprofits.