San Mateo police invite residents to connect with officers during National Night Out on August 4

San Mateo, California – San Mateo residents are being asked to circle one summer evening on the calendar now: Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

That is when the San Mateo Police Department will mark this year’s National Night Out, a community event built around neighbors meeting neighbors, families spending time together, and police officers connecting with the people they serve in a more relaxed setting. Known nationally as “America’s Night Out Against Crime,” the event is meant to strengthen local ties while sending a simple message: safer neighborhoods are built when people look out for one another.

This year, residents will again have two ways to take part.

Read also: Deputies arrest Oakland man after armed road rage investigation on San Mateo County coast

The first option is to bring National Night Out directly to their own block. Neighbors may organize a local gathering where they live, then register the event so San Mateo police personnel can stop by. Registration for block events will open July 1 and run through July 24. Registered events will be scheduled for police visits between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Tuesday evening, August 4.

Police said the gathering does not have to be complicated. A driveway barbecue, an ice cream social, or a simple get-together on the block can be enough to help people introduce themselves, talk about safety, and build the kind of connection that lasts beyond one evening.

For those who prefer a larger citywide celebration, San Mateo police will also host a free public safety event the same night at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center, located at 725 Monte Diablo Avenue. That event will run from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Read also: 14 San Mateo County interns begin summer training with public safety teams

The free public gathering is expected to include police K9s, SWAT trucks, drones, safety resources, music, raffles, and family-friendly activities. McGruff the Crime Dog is also scheduled to appear, along with other features intended to make the evening both useful and fun for families.

The department said the heart of National Night Out remains in the neighborhoods themselves, where residents can build trust face to face and talk about what matters most on their streets.

San Mateo police are also seeking sponsorships, donations, and vendors that fit the event’s safety resource fair atmosphere. Those interested can email [email protected].

Questions about National Night Out may be sent to [email protected]. More information is expected as the event date gets closer.