Metro block party rolls out community resources

Metro volunteers, church leaders and even McGruff the Crime Dog responded to the call to entertain and inform south Las Vegas residents about the community resources available to them.

Dozens gathered Friday at the Community Resource Fair and Block Party at the Twain and Swenson Plaza, 860 East Twain Avenue, near Flamingo and Paradise roads.

The block party, the 11th organized at the same location, is a resourceful way to “inform the community that there’s help out there,” said Metro Officer Stephanie Dunn, event coordinator. “We want to help you.”

Dunn, who’s been with Las Vegas police for six years, said block parties like these have a positive impact.

The residents feel that police are there for them, she said. Residents recognize her face and name when she responds to calls and they are more apt to talk to her.

It’s a way to “bridge the gap” between those people who just feel that police officers are out to get everyone, Dunn said.

Four-year-old Zy’Aire played in one of the two bounce houses with his face painted like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. His mother, Melanie Peters, 21, said that they recently moved to the neighborhood from Los Angeles and that it was the safety fair she’s attended.

Peters said that it was fun for both children and adults.

Zoila Hernandez’s young son wouldn’t let go of a wooden car given to him by Toys 4 Smiles.

The not-for-profit foundation which has given out about 215,000 toys since its start about eight years ago, handed out at least 125 wooden cars at the block party, said volunteer Larry Mund, 65. He’s been with the Toys 4 Smiles since January and said that “every kid deserves a toy and every kid deserves a smile. And everybody is a kid.”

Hhip-hop with a Christian message played on the speakers and members from Victory Outreach church raffled kick scooters to children who cheered and raised their hands in the air as they won.

Pastor for Victory Outreach church, Benny Jaques, and congregation members spoke about how God helped them steer their drug-driven lives in the right direction.

“We’re with you,” Jaques told the crowd.

The block party also had booths set up by organizations like Foundation for a Drug-Free World, which gave out anti-drug pamphlets.

Prevent Child Abuse Nevada provided information on how to prevent and report child abuse.

“This neighborhood has a really good turnout for these events,” said Patricia Haddad, of Prevent Child Abuse Nevada.

Contact Ricardo Torres at rtorres@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0381. Find him on Twitter: @rickytwrites.