Jordan Naftolin’s eyes gleamed with pride as he surveyed the scene in a section of the Ellis Pond neighborhood on the evening of Aug. 1.

Residents connected, chuckled and nibbled on snacks as kids rode bikes and flitted around the area during a robust National Night Out gathering that Naftolin organized on 90th Avenue Southeast.

There was a buzz in the air that Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD) Chief Ed Holmes and Mayor Salim Nice would soon arrive with an officer and their cop car. The police/community-partnering event — which brought about 70 people to the tight-knit neighborhood — was part of a national campaign that focuses on crime prevention and resident connectedness.

“I think it’s also important for us to have a connection with the police department and with the city, and all the kids here are very excited to be able to meet police,” said Naftolin, who recently completed CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training through the city and received his ham radio license to further make an impact in the community in the emergency preparedness realm.

Naftolin added that some of his neighbors have CERT training under their belts as well.

“For me, it’s like I don’t want to have that feeling of being helpless if something were to happen. So just to be able to do something for my own family and then go beyond that to the neighborhood and helping out — and keep expanding,” he said.

Over at Tana Senn’s National Night Out block party on Southeast 47th Street, Peni Schwartz said it’s critical for neighbors to form solid ties.

“There’s so many new people in the neighborhood, so it just seemed like a great opportunity for people to see people they know again and to meet people they don’t know,” said Schwartz, who added that the MIPD is doing a stellar job when rolling through their neighborhood and beyond.

Added John Hamer, who co-organized the event with Senn and Les Baron: “We are so polarized in this country today. This is a way we can really build bonds between people and care about their neighborhoods and their communities.”

Mercer Island emergency management leader Amanda Keverkamp distributed crime-prevention kits, which contain informational materials, tips and more, prior to the gatherings. On the emergency preparedness side, she echoed Schwartz and Hamer’s sentiments about community connectivity.

“Here on Mercer Island, it’s really important because it is an Island community. If there is an emergency, you’re going to turn to your neighbor first and foremost because they’re going to kind of be your first responder,” said Keverkamp, adding that residents should have 7-14 days’ worth of supplies on hand in case of an emergency.

For more information, visit: https://www.mercerisland.gov/emergency-management and https://www.mercerisland.gov/police/page/do-it-yourself-crime-prevention

Mayor Salim Nice and Mercer Island Police Department Chief Ed Holmes, from right to left, engage in conversation with Islanders at a National Night Out event at Tana Senn’s home. Andy Nystrom/ staff photo

Mercer Island’s emergency management leader Amanda Keverkamp distributed these crime-prevention kits prior to National Night Out gatherings. Pictured is Tana Senn’s event. Andy Nystrom/ staff photo