Ann Voegele, left, unwraps a clock presented to her by Mayor JoAnne Mounce and Police Chief David Main, not pictured, for her 25 years as Rutledge Drive's block captain during National Night Out on Tuesday. (Dan Evans/News-Sentinel)

Lodi marks 25 years of National Night Out

When a Lodi police employee first asked Ann Voegele if she wanted to start a neighborhood watch group and be part of a new program called National Night Out, she agreed.

Time passed, and each year the Rutledge Drive resident gathered neighbors for the annual event. National Night Out grew, and by 2007 it included 10,000 communities across the country, all aiming to prevent crime by banding together.

Tuesday marked the 25th anniversary of National Night Out — and the 25th year that Voegele has organized an event. To her surprise, Police Chief David Main arrived to present her with a glass clock, one of two given to Lodi residents who have organized parties every year.

"That was such a nice surprise — and I like clocks; I have a thing for clocks," Voegele said.

Across Lodi, 139 neighborhoods gathered for a total of 82 parties.

Some held huge barbecues with streets blocked off. Others had low-key dessert potlucks.

All were chatting with one another and looking with interest at crime statistics provided by police employees who visited each party. Children, meanwhile, were enamored by the temporary tattoos and white bouncing balls commemorating the 25th anniversary.

At each party he visited, Lt. Steve Carillo encouraged residents to meet more than just once a year for National Night Out.

"I grew up in New York City, and we had block parties all the time. Everybody knew everybody else," he told residents gathered at a Kristmont Court party.

If residents get to know one another, Carillo said, then they'll know when someone seems out of place or something isn't right.

Police employees, none of whom were being paid overtime, visited each party. Four of the five City Council members, as well as the city manager, rode with officers.

Lodi firefighters and American Medical Response firefighters stopped at as many parties as they could, as did members of the Lodi Improvement Committee.

Some residents asked police about traffic issues, something that seems to generate lots of concern every year when officers ask about troubles.

They also asked about gang problems, especially since the city recently saw a spike in gang-related crimes.

Police have worked overtime the last couple weekends, focusing on gang neighborhoods. On Saturday, 19 police employees were out on the streets — nearly triple the normal amount — talking to any suspected gang member, Capt. J.P. Badel told an Edgewood Drive gathering.

Badel, who was among those working Saturday, said one suspect even commented that everywhere he turned, his friends were being stopped by police. Badel's response: "Good, that's what we want."

Though the parties take some extra police time, they're worth it, said Carillo, who started work at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, got off work around 8:30 p.m. and was back to work at the same early hour today.

Everywhere he went, Carillo passed out business cards and encouraged residents to call with any complaints or questions.

Earlier, more than 60 people gathered at the police station before the parties began. They learned their assignments and which parties they were to attend, all coordinated by Crime Prevention Officer Andrea Patterson.

Congressman Jerry McNerney sent a representative to commend the city for its 25 years of National Night Out involvement.

Main recognized Tracy Williams, who works at the LOEL Senior Center and has been involved in National Night Out for more than 20 years.

And, though they were busy at home getting ready for the parties, everyone applauded for Carol Marvel and Voegele, the two Lodi residents who have held parties for each of the 25 years.

Though her parties have gotten smaller over the years, Voegele, now 74, doesn't have any plans to stop cooking her annual hot dogs, chili beans and fruit salad.

"I didn't realize we'd been doing it for 25 years," she said later in the evening as others helped her clean up after another year's party.

Contact reporter Layla Bohm at layla@lodinews.com.