Crime & Safety

Good Turnout at National Night Out in Yountville

Kids enjoy police dog Crespo, trucks, ice cream.

More than 100 kids and adults enjoyed Tuesday's National Night Out in Yountville.

"It's a great turnout," said Napa County Sheriff's Lt. Pete Berg.

The Yountville event, part of a nationwide effort to build safe communities, joined other area gatherings in Napa and in American Canyon.

"We're just visiting," said Ruby Warnock of Vallejo, who attended with friends Mey Saephan and Ana Maria Mejia. "We're studying public health (at Touro University in Vallejo) and this is right up our alley."

Star of the party was Crespo, an 8-year-old European-trained black police dog than has been a partner with Napa County Sheriff's Dep. James Baumgartner since 2008.

Baumgartner said Crespo, a Belgian Shepherd breed called Malinois, is trained to track narcotics, cocaine and marijuana -- as well as human scent -- and is also trained in protection tactics.

"All the commands I give him are in Dutch," Baumgartner said.

Baumgartner said he isn't fluent in Dutch, but that he is able to give Crespo the right commands in the dog's native language.

"It's not like we're having a conversation," he said.


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