Rocklin to celebrate National Night Out on Aug. 6

In honor of National Night Out, the community of Rocklin is invited to celebrate its law enforcement and first responders at a community-wide public event at Johnson-Springview Park on Tuesday. For the second year in a row, the Goularte Group, a local real estate mother-daughter duo, is hosting the community celebration from 5-8:30 p.m. National Night Out is an annual nationwide event designed to strengthen neighborhood spirit and unity, raise crime prevention awareness and develop partnerships between the city and community. In Rocklin, various neighborhoods host block parties and invite law enforcement in addition to the community-wide event. "National Night Out provides an exciting opportunity for us to come together, interact and forge meaningful relationships with our neighbors," Mayor Greg Janda said in the weekly City of Rocklin newsletter. "National Night Out is not just another gathering, it is an opportunity to showcase the strength of our Rocklin community and reaffirm our commitment to creating a safer, more connected city through partnerships between public safety agencies and residents." The National Night Out celebration at Johnson-Springview Park officially started last year and features a way for the public to connect with local law enforcement. "This is just an opportunity for folks to go out there and say thank you to the men and women in blue and their first responders," said Jolee Goularte, who is putting together the event with her daughter. "I think it's important to give them their accolades." Highlighting law enforcement and their equipment, the event hosts a California Highway Patrol helicopter landing on the field and there are chances to interact with law enforcement officials from the Rocklin Police Department, Rocklin Fire Department and CHP. There will opportunities for attendees to learn and interact with equipment used by SWAT, K-9 officers, motorcycle teams, patrol cars and more. "It's important for the law enforcement to be out in the community in a manner that is one on one interacting with the public," Goularte said. The event aims to provide entertainment for the whole family and features kids crafts and activities, including a 40-foot obstacle course, bounce house, martial arts demonstrations and more. All vendors will have activities for children at their booths. The event also includes educational presentations on how to do CPR, Stop the Bleed and self-defense demonstrations. "We wanted to make sure there was an education element to the event," Goularte said. "We just want this event to expand on safety, security and community." Visitors can shop at the various vendor booths or grab a bite to eat at one of the food trucks. Goularte said one highlight of the event last year was the helicopter landing – it produced a lot of happiness from the crowd. "I love seeing the smiles on everyone's faces," she said. "They let the kids go in the helicopter and the SWAT vehicles, and the officers were just so personable with everyone." For more information, visit thegoulartegroup.com.