Bartlett recognized for National Night Out celebration

For a fifth time since 2002, the village of Bartlett has received a first-place award from the National Association of Town Watch for its National Night Out celebration.

Bartlett police officers presented the award — which was for the population category of 15,000 to 49,000 — to the village board during a meeting Tuesday night. The village ranked first out of 40 communities across the nation.

National Night Out is a crime prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch that includes activities designed to raise awareness of crime and drug prevention and strengthen relationships between the police and community members.

Bartlett police Sgt. Geoffrey Pretkelis said the national group took notice of the “continued love and concern” for the community and support for the event that was given by village staff, local organizations and civic groups, the park district, the fire protection district, police department workers and residents.

“They were instrumental in making this year’s National Night Out a huge success that the entire community was able to embrace and enjoy,” he said.

Bartlett’s celebration lasted for three days in August. It included a skate park bash, pool party, neighborhood lighting competition, community picnic and other events. Thousands of people attended the events, and planning for next year’s National Night Out on Aug. 6 has already begun.

The city of Wood Dale was the only other municipality in Illinois to place in the top five in any of the population categories.