DuPage police, neighbors gather for National Night Out

You may see them grilling, maybe a little custard dripping down their chin and, if you're really lucky, cutting loose to a live DJ.

Because at National Night Out, they're just regular guys and gals - with a badge.

At the annual event celebrated Tuesday night across DuPage County, along with roughly 16,000 communities across the country, police hosted barbecues and ice cream socials, kids games and entertainment. The goal was to get cops mingling with the neighbors they serve to build connections and, in the end, to make people feel more comfortable reaching out to officers.

It's also an opportunity to help neighbors get to know their neighbors and learn how to stamp out crime.

"It's important for residents to interact with other residents," said Julie Smith, the National Night Out coordinator in Naperville, where participants donated to a substance abuse prevention program. "They're the eyes and the ears."

In Carol Stream, police teamed up with Our Savior Lutheran Church and the Outreach Community Center for the village's 29th annual observance in Community Park. Organizers served up hot dogs, free custard from Culver's, face-painting and gave away backpacks to about 50 kids through the Humanitarian Service Project.

Glendale Heights police, for the first time, brought their party poolside with activities at the GH20 Aquatic Center.

After some of the gatherings came to an end, DuPage County residents flipped on their porch lights in a show of support for law enforcement.

To learn more about National Night Out, visit Natw.org.