OCEANSIDE — This year’s annual “National Night Out” event taking a stand against crime was held Aug. 5 in a new location and with a new focus to reflect the positive changes that have taken place in the city.

With Oceanside crime rates down, the event was moved from police headquarters to John Landes, Joe Balderrama and Melba Bishop recreation centers and focused on neighborhood services.

Oceanside police, fire and parks and recreation departments put on safety demonstrations, handed out information on community services and organized recreational activities for kids, to create a fun-filled evening at the three locations.

Council members were also out to support the event.

“It’s nice to see other community services come out,” Police Chief Frank McCoy said. “The community has been great partners with us.”

McCoy credits the increase in the number of community police officers for the decrease in crime.

The police force has been increased by about 40 members over the past six years, Councilman Rocky Chavez said.

“People see police as part of the community,” Councilman Jerry Kern said.

Residents are familiar with community police officers and are comfortable contacting them before little things become big things, Kern added.

Ted and Dona Storke of Oceanside stopped by the National Night Out gathering at the Melba Bishop Recreation Center, picked up safety information and had plenty of kudos for local police. “They did a good job of cleaning up this neighborhood,” Ted Storke said. He added that a few years ago police cars would be up and down his street every 15 minutes stopping crimes, but that now with crime rates down, he sees police at positive community events.