Neighbors meeting neighbors

They lined up in Live Oak to watch Karo take his first jumps into the pool for the Rubber Ducky Contest — while in Plumas Lake a watermelon-eating contest, bubble machine and bounce house were among the lures.

Around Yuba-Sutter, neighbors talked to neighbors, law enforcement and firefighters Tuesday for the National Night Out, the 25th yearly event intended to strengthen neighborhoods and connections between the Police and community.

Sgt. Chad Niswonger of the Sutter County Sheriff's Department said law enforcement relies upon residents.

"A thousand pair of eyes," said, "are better than one."

Officers take the opportunity of National Night Out to talk informally with citizens, he said.

"The uniform, the badge — all the stuff is fairly intimidating," the sergeant said. With National Night out residents "get to know the people and not uniforms."

Karo, a 3-year-old Belgian Malinois, allowed Live Oak to get to know the new member of the canine unit participating for the first time in the community tradition that puts 230 numbered rubber ducks in the city pool and provides cash prizes to three winners whose ducks the dog pulls out.

Ravi Curiel, 20, a lifeguard and Live Oak resident, said the contest, barbecue and other events "bring the community together."

That was the point in Plumas Lake, where hundreds were at Bill Pinkerton Memorial Park for the event that neighborhood watch liaison Dawn Granata organized.

"People are getting to know each other," Granata said.

Micheyl Walker, president of the Plumas Lake Mom's Group, said, "This is all about keeping your community safe."

Resident Keith Miner, 34, suggested that's working.

"We don't have the gang-type activity." "We don't have the graffiti," Miner said, citing "neighbors who know each other" as helping make that possible in Plumas Lake.

Contact Appeal reporter Ryan McCarthy at 749-4707 or rmccarthy@appeal-democrat.com