BearCat Comes Out During National Night Out

Several Hermosa Beach neighborhoods participated in National Night Out, an annual event designed to get neighbors together to fight crime and prevent drug abuse.

For the event, city officials and public safety personnel visited Hermosa Beach neighborhoods, including: Mayor Jeff Duclos and his wife Christine arriving in a city fire engine; HB Police Department Det. Mick Gaglia with the BearCat assault vehicle; the HBPD K9 team with Officer George Brunn and Keef; HBPD Motor Officer Everett Faulk; Hermosa Beach Fire Department Capt. James Crawford; HBPD Chief Steve Johnson; Los Angeles County lifeguards with one of their vehicles, and Hermosa Beach Neighborhood Watch co-founders and co-coordinators Kelly Kovac-Reedy and Tracy Hopkins with her daughter Bree.

"Residents are always so pleased for the opportunity to get out and get to know their neighbors better. They also really appreciate the [public safety] teams that visit their block," said Hopkins.

"National Night Out in Hermosa Beach is an enjoyable opportunity to build neighborhood spirit and public safety partnerships in our desire for a safer city," said Hopkins, who shares co-coordinator duties for and co-founded HBNW with Kovac-Reedy in 2006.

About 100 blocks participate in HBNW, said Hopkins. Of those, six can be accommodated within the NNO time frame to receive the official organized visit from HBNW and its entourage.