National Night Out highlights Arlington Heights organizations

National Night Out 2012 will take place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7, at North School Park 410 N. Arlington Heights Road in Arlington Heights. The National Association of Town Watch and Target Stores sponsor this event nationally.

The village of Arlington Heights event has received national recognition in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Arlington’s event is compared to other events in jurisdictions with populations between 50,000 and 99,000. The Arlington Heights National Night Out celebration has moved up the rankings each year. In 2011, the event was ranked 15th nationally and the highest in Illinois for its category.

The following activities will be part of the event in 2012:

Ÿ The Illinois CHIP Program, sponsored by the Illinois Masons, will provide parents with a free disc containing their child’s fingerprints, photograph and voice sample. A DNA sample can also be requested.

Ÿ The Arlington Heights Police Department K-9 unit conducts a full demonstration which includes bite and drug work. There will also be police representatives from the following specialty assignments: Accident reconstruction, financial crimes, child safety seat technicians, crime prevention, forensics, traffic and animal welfare.

Ÿ The Arlington Heights Fire Department conducts a repelling victim rescue demonstration and will display several of its vehicles.

Ÿ The Cook County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad will display its equipment, which may include an isolation chamber and robot.

Ÿ The Illinois State Police host a DUI golf cart course.

Ÿ Village of Arlington Heights Engineering Department sponsors a child fun photo booth.

Ÿ The Arlington Heights Police Department Traffic Unit will demonstrate motorcycle skills.

Ÿ The American Red Cross displays its disaster command post vehicle.

Ÿ The United States Army will bring numerous vehicles, various combat simulators and a football toss game.

Ÿ The Union Pacific Railroad will have an informational display.

Ÿ The Arlington Heights Park District provides free beverages and food items, children’s games, business expo and other fun activities.

For information, contact Doug Hajek, Arlington Heights Police Department, at (847) 368-5330 or dhajek@vah.com; or Laura Oberg, Arlington Heights Park District, at (847) 506-7872 or loberg@ahpd.org.

Visit, nationaltownwatch.org and www.ilchip.org.