Lake County's National Night Out

Food, games, and car shows were among the activities in several Lake County towns as local police hosted gatherings Tuesday to strengthen bonds with their communities.

National Night Out is a nationwide event intended to help strengthen cooperation between police departments and other crime-prevention organizations and the communities they serve, heighten crime and drug-prevention awareness, and promote community spirit.

The event is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch.

Local residents gathered at area parks, police stations, bandshells and church parking lots to enjoy K-9 demonstrations, and participate in volleyball tournaments and various hands-on activities.

The villages of Antioch, Lincolnshire, Mundelein, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Park and Vernon Hills participated in the annual event.