Get to know your police officers, neighbors at National Night Out
On Tuesday, Aug. 4, residents throughout the Fox Valley will turn on their porch lights and step outside to spend an evening with their neighbors and police officers in celebration of National Night Out.
National Night Out is a national celebration to encourage community activism and neighborhood safety. Many towns host a single party to celebrate, but the city of Elgin will spread its festivities throughout the town.
"Elgin is a bit different from some other communities in that a lot of them have parties in one location," said Cherie Aschenbrenner, a community outreach specialist with the Elgin Police Department. "Elgin has block parties throughout the town. We have 145 neighborhood watches and 34 of them are going to have block parties in their neighborhood that evening."
Elgin residents who live in neighborhoods that are not hosting block parties are invited to celebrate in Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave. There, at 6 p.m. visitors will see K-9 demonstrations, a helicopter landing and a number of other children's activities. The celebration will conclude with a screening of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" at 8:30 p.m.
But for the 34 neighborhoods hosting block parties, each will be visited by police, firemen, and mascots.
"Elgin believes in getting to know your neighbors," Aschenbrenner said. "If a party is going on right in your neighborhood, that really brings the neighborhood together. You don't even have to drive anywhere, it's right there."
The village of South Elgin will be hosting an event at 6 p.m. at Jim Hansen Park, 338 Valley Forge Ave., which is named after the late village president. In addition to increasing community interaction, the police department will honor his contributions to the community.
"He was on the board for about 25 years and he passed away from cancer," South Elgin police officer John Rothecker said. "So right at the beginning, we'll be throwing little remembrance to honor him this year."
After the brief ceremony, visitors will be able to enjoy a key addition to the festivities, a family concert with Miss Carole and Clarence of Macaroni Soup at 7 p.m. Kids will be able to interact with performances by singing and dancing along.
Rothecker said the celebration is a great way to reach out to the community amid a number of turbulent and prominent issues regarding police and civilian interactions.
"It's a pretty good event for community relations in this day and age with all police controversies that are going on," Rothecker said. "And it's a little bigger this year, our biggest one yet."
The village of Carpentersville will also be hosting a celebration in hopes to raise drug and crime prevention awareness and generate support from the community, said officer Joe Pilarski.
"(NNO) is designed to strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships and send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back," Pilarski said.
The village's 32nd annual celebration is set to take place in front of the Carpentersville Police Department between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Tuesday. The event will include live music, children's games, and educational information for parents.
He said officers are hoping to encourage more community members to participate in neighborhood watch programs.
"By increasing these groups throughout our town, we can have more eyes and ears and we can fight criminal activity more effectively," Pilarski said.
In Campton Hills, a villagewide gathering is being held on School Road near Wasco Elementary School.
"At our National Night Out event, I am pleased to announce that we have over 30 local vendors and community partners," said Police Chief Dan Hoffman. "The Campton Hills Police Department will be providing free hot dogs and there will be additional free treats for those who attend."
For information, visit www.cityofelgin.org, www.southelgin.com, www.villageofcamptohhills.org and vil.carpentersville.il.us.
National Night Out events
The following Fox Valley communities and organizations are holding National Night Out events. All events take place on Tuesday, Aug. 4, unless otherwise noted.
Campton Hills: 6 to 8 p.m. on School Street, just off Route 64. There will be more than 30 local vendors and community partners. The Campton Hills Police Department will provide free hot dogs and there will be additional free treats for those who attend. For details, visit villageofcamptonhills.org.
Carpentersville: 5 to 8 p.m. at the Carpentersville Police Department, 1200 L.W. Besinger Drive. Free. Canned goods will be accepted to benefit the local food pantry. There will be yard games for children, inflatables for children, emergency vehicles on display, hot dogs and ice cream for an additional cost, and information from vendors for home safety and security. For information visit vil.carpentersville.il.us/.
Cary: 6-8:30 p.m. on Main Street. Bring the family, play some games, meet police officers, see squad cars, motorcycles and state trooper cruisers. For information, visit www.caryillinois.com.
Elgin: 6 p.m. at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave. Elgin K-9 Officer Marshall Kite and Gage will offer K-9 demonstrations from 6:45 to 7:15 p.m. There will be live music with Flocks and the Lookout from 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. At dusk, watch the 1988 comedy "Who Framed Roger Rabbit." For details, visit www.cityofelgin.org.
Geneva: Residents can celebrate National Night Out with free pool admission at both Mill Creek and Sunset Pools from 6 to 8 p.m. For information visit www.geneva.il.us.
Huntley: As part of the National Night Out campaign, the Huntley Police Department encourages all residents to turn on outside lights on Tuesday, Aug. 4, and asks them to go outside and meet their neighbors. Officers will be driving through the subdivisions to meet with residents who are outside, and also will be attending neighborhood parties. For information visit www.huntley.il.us.
Kane County Sheriff: 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Kane County Judicial Center campus, 37W777 Route 38, St. Charles. See the Superior Air Ambulance, and meet Ozzie the Cougar, McGruff the Crime Dog and Princess Elsa from the Disney movie "Frozen." Take a tour of the shooting range or inmate cell block. On hand will be members of Kane County Sheriff's Office's Bomb Unit, Corrections Response Team, Court Security, Honor Guard, K-9 Unit, and Special Weapons and Tactics. For information visit www.nkcchamber.com.
Lake in the Hills: The Community Cookout with free hot dogs will be 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Lake in the Hills Safety Education Center. For information, visit www.lith.org.
McHenry County: The McHenry County Conservation District, McHenry County Sheriff's Office and the Wonder Lake Fire Departments team up to celebrate National Night Out Against Crime, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Harrison Benwell Conservation Area, 7055 McCullom Lake Road, Wonder Lake. Special demonstrations are scheduled throughout the evening: extrication at 5:30 p.m. and 6:50 p.m. by Wonder Lake Fire Department; Precision Riding Motorcycle Demo at 5:50 p.m. and 7:10 p.m. by McHenry County Conservation District Police; Police K-9 demonstration at 6:10 p.m. by McHenry County Sheriff's Office. For information, visit www.visitmchenrycounty.com.
Pingree Grove: 6 to 8:30 p.m. outside the Community Center at Wester and Cambridge Lakes Drive. Visit the police and fire department and learn about crime prevention tips. For details, visit www.villageofpingreegrove.org.
South Elgin: 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Jim Hansen Park, at Concord Avenue and Valley Forge Avenue. There will be a family concert with Miss Carole and Clarence of Macaroni Soup. There will be a Neighborhood Watch display and vehicle, obstacle course, and water rescue demonstration. Purchase some charity dogs for $3, including a hot dog, chips and drink to benefit FUNdation's Shane's Inspiration Playground. Kids can enjoy face painting, new Batman Moonwalk/Bouncy House, new Trackless Train Ride, hayrides, games for kids, and the fire district's smokehouse. For information, visit www.southelgin.com.