National Night Out area events

Many local communities throughout the northern Fox Valley will be participating in the 28th annual National Night Out Against Crime with block parties, softball games and other activities. National Night Out is celebrated annually the first Tuesday of August. Its goal is to promote crime prevention and safety programs, strengthen police-community partnerships and encourage neighborhood camaraderie in hopes for a safer McHenry County and America. “America’s Night Against Crime” began in 1984 and is celebrated in all 50 states.

Cary: The community of Cary is encouraged to come out and enjoy the National Night Out with their family, rain or shine, from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7 at Jaycee Park. Kojaks will be providing hot dogs at the event. Contact NNOJayceePark@yahoo.com or Officer Kathy Eiring at (847) 639-2341 with any questions.

Elgin: The Elgin Police Department and the National Association of Town Watch will be sponsoring the 29th annual National Night Out crime prevention celebration on Tuesday, Aug. 7. National Night Out is an opportunity for neighbors to get to know one another and bring more people into the process of preventing crime.

Neighborhood Watch groups, homeowner’s associations, and residents are participating in this year’s National Night Out by sponsoring a block party from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Last year, more than 40 neighborhoods participated in the event. For details, call Cherie Aschenbrenner at the Elgin Police Department at (847) 289-2626 or visit www.cityofelgin.org and click on police, Community Relations/Crime Prevention.

Huntley: The National Night Out Against Crime 2012 will be celebrated at Sun City Huntley on Tuesday, Aug. 7, starting at 5:30 p.m. at Eakin Field. The Sun City Softball All-Star Game will be played at this event and the Sun City Model Railroad Club will be running trains during the festivities. Citizens Bank is providing complimentary hot dogs and beverages. Members of the Huntley Police Department, Huntley Fire Protection District and other village officials are expected to be in attendance.

Kane County: The Kane County Sheriff’s Office will hold its 28th annual National Night Out from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7 at the office, 37W755 Route 38, St. Charles. Last year’s National Night involved citizens, Kane County Sheriff’s Office, other law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood watches and local officials within Kane County.

This year, they invite residents to join with neighbors, friends and businesses to declare that crime will not be tolerated in their communities.

Lake in the Hills: The Lake in the Hills Police Department invites all residents to come out and join the police department in taking a stand against crime by joining in the National Night Out celebration from 7 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7.

National Night Out is a program designed to get the village’s neighborhoods involved in a “stand against crime in their community.” This is a two-day event which includes a community cookout with many static displays and demonstrations, including a “Simunition” booth, station tours, a K-9 demo and a chance to participate in the Fatal Vision Golf Cart Course, just to name a few of the events planned. There will be block parties throughout the village, attended by police officers and village officials. The block parties are located throughout the village on Tuesday, Aug. 7.

The community cookout will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11 at the Safety Education Center, 1109 Crystal Lake Road.

For details, call the Community Relations Division at (847) 658-5676.

McHenry County: McHenry County Conservation District, McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and the Wonder Lake Fire Departments team up to present National Night Out Against Crime from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7 at Harrison Benwell Conservation Area, 7055 McCullom Lake Road, Wonder Lake. An action-packed evening is planned with food and fun for the whole family.

All communities of McHenry County are invited to stop by for complimentary food and beverages and enjoy the ongoing activities. Information booths include: Child Passenger Safety Information and Project S.W.E.E.P. Various police and fire equipment will be on display. 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 event updates, check the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page or the Conservation District’s website www.MCCDistrict.org or by calling (815) 338-2144.

Pingree Grove: The village of Pingree Grove invites residents to its National Night Out crime prevention event from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7. Come out and see the police and fire department and learn about crime prevention tips at the annual event, which will be held outside the Community Center at Wester Boulevard and Cambridge Lakes Drive.

South Elgin: The village of South Elgin will hold its award-winning National Night Out Against Crime “Party in the Park” on Tuesday, Aug. 7.

Sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, National Night Out Against Crime is and event dedicated to crime/drug prevention awareness programs in communities throughout America. South Elgin’s event is a summertime community favorite.

The 2012 event includes: McGruff and friends Mascot race kickoff; special guest Captain Jack Sparrow meet-and-greet Caribbean style; National Guard climbing wall; dunk tank with the opportunity to dunk your favorite school resource officer; Air Med One Superior helicopter landing; and Neighborhood Watch display and vehicle.

At Tammy Town Safety, children learn about the importance and proper use of safety equipment, hand signals and the rules of the road. Students reinforce their new skills with a bicycle road course.

For $3, get a hot dog, chips and drink to benefit FUNdations Shane’s Inspiration Playground.

Kids will enjoy face painting, a balloon magician, moonwalk/bouncy house, hayrides, games and the fire district’s smokehouse.

Participating civic organizations and businesses include Animal Care Clinic, My Father’s Hands, Community Crisis Center, Sherman Health Care, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post of South Elgin, Super Target of South Elgin, State Farm of South Elgin, Farmers Insurance, U.S. Postal Inspector’s Office, FBI, Kane County Coroner’s Office, ChiroOne Wellness Center and American Eagle Bank.

The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Concord Park, off Concord and Valley Forge avenues, east of McLean Boulevard and west of Route 31.

Presented in a carnival-like atmosphere, the police department, area law enforcement and public service providers demonstrate a commitment to police-community partnerships in a variety of professional and fun ways. Emergency and public works vehicles will be on display, so don’t forget your camera. For details, visit southelgin.com.