More than 3,000 Turn Out for Studio City’s First National Night Out

Police and organizers figured that more than 3,000 community residents of all ages (and a lot of dogs and a few pet parakeets) attended the first National Night Out held in Studio City on Tuesday night.

“This was quite an exceptional turnout, it was a great night,” said Los Angeles Police Senior Lead Officer for Studio City, Mike Lewis, who has worked in the district a dozen years. His fellow officers predicted that at least 3,000 people came and went during the afternoon and evening event held at the PINZ Bowling Alley parking lot on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City.

“I’m thrilled that this went so well,” said Studio City Neighborhood Council President John Walker who hosted many of the events on stage and handed out thousands of dollars of raffles from many of the local businesses in attendance and gift bags from Target. “Everyone seemed to be having a good time.”

New City Attorney Mike Feuer said he had been to National Night Out events all over the city that night, and ended up at Studio City. Meanwhile, Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian started off his day at the first National Night Out being held in Studio City.

In the past, the 30-year-old tradition of mixing public safety officials and the community has been piggybacked with North Hollywood or Valley Village events, often in North Hollywood Park.

This time, a large hook-and-ladder firetruck came through the Staples parking lot and youth could sit in the back of a patrol car.

There were also dogs from Lucky Puppy on Ventura Boulevard, and local bird lady Miss Les who went on “America’s Got Talent” with her singing cockatiels. She had 16 of them with her on Tuesday night and said, “We’re all having a great time, the food is great.”

Spoonful was offering up pork sandwiches with buffalo mozzarella sticks, Pizza Rev offered three different kinds of pizza, Pick-up Stix offered mini bowls of Chinese food and Carney’s offered hamburgers and hotdogs with their special chili. There were samples from Which Wich, Rockstar Energy Drink, Hubert’s Lemonade and a whole lot more.

The events were kicked off by the Jazzland Big Band, a group of musicians that started from a class at Valley College who wanted to continue to play jazz. Conductor Jess Whitehill said the group practices at the North Hollywood Senior Center and “we love playing all over the city.”

There were martial arts demonstrations, a helicopter flyover, a light show, singing by Lauren Taylor and an amazing rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” by American Idol contestant Kristi Krouse.

Real estate agent Alan Taylor, who runs Neighborhood Watch newsletters in Studio City and Sherman Oaks through his Watch2.org newsletter, said, “There’s nothing better than an event like this to meet and socialize with our neighbors and to meet the people who help protect us.”

“This took a lot of people to put together, and I am very grateful to them all,” said Brandon Pender, the chairman of the Public Safety Committee that chaired the event. 

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See the photo gallery and videos above of Senior Lead Officer Mike Lewis, the helicopter flyover, martial arts Tumble Kick demonstrations, the presentation of the colors and a talk from Paul Krekorian.