Pasadena Police Chief Gene Harris and Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin at Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Phlunte’ Riddle, Eric Riddle, Eddie Riddle at Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena Police Chief Gene Harris with his officers at Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Christian Bancelos and John Severino at Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Dustin Gomez, Mark Mendenhall, Todd McDonald, Naomi Winkler, Jason Cordova at Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Linda Vista Librarian Bernadette Glover, Linda Vista-Annandale Association President Valeri Siegal, Event Organizer William Porras at Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena Councilmember Steve Madison, Justin Chapman, Angie Miller, Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin at Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Dominic Ferrel, Jean Lee, Jamie Lee at Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Ana Reynaga, Karina Reynaga, Brianna Hernandez, Viviana Reynaga, Event Organizer William Porras at Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
Pasadena’s National Night Out on August 5, 2025. [Photo: Paul Takizawa/Pasadena Now]
With children clambering over SWAT vehicles and parents chatting with police officers under a warm summer sky, Pasadena’s annual National Night Out celebration brought nearly 300 residents to police headquarters Tuesday evening — part of a citywide effort to strengthen ties between first responders and the communities they serve.
Held each year on the first Tuesday of August in cities across the country, National Night Out aims to build trust between neighbors and law enforcement. In Pasadena, events took place simultaneously at three locations: the main headquarters on Garfield Avenue, Hastings Ranch, and Linda Vista.
“This is super important,” said Deputy Police Chief Art Chute, as kids posed beside K-9 units and families toured tactical gear displays. “For community members to come out, for us to meet the young kids — to engage in situations where they don’t need us, they just want to be with us — that’s huge. It helps them understand we’re human just like they are.”
The event at headquarters was the largest of the three, drawing families, city officials, and a sizable turnout from the police and fire departments. Officers handed out stickers, showed off gear, and answered questions about everything from police technology to public safety programs, amidst a wide range of community resource booths.
“The best part is definitely engaging with the young kids,” Chute added. “They can play amongst our equipment, ask questions, and see that we’re here for them.”
For Susanna Porras, Senior Communications Coordinator for the Pasadena Police Department, the event carries personal significance. Years ago, she said, she was told by her neighborhood lieutenant she should consider hosting a National Night Out block party as a first step in reclaiming her street.
“When you see crime, drugs, and violence in your neighborhood, that’s often a symptom of a bigger problem: a lack of community,” she said. “And if you don’t know your neighbors, who do you ask for help? Who do you lean on? How do you organize?”
Now, she says, events like these are about more than good food and friendly faces. They’re about “bringing people together before there’s an emergency — so we know each other, trust each other, and can work together to make our city safer.”
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