DuPage towns will observe National Night Out

Neighbors in about three dozen subdivisions across Naperville will spend part of the evening together Tuesday enjoying ice cream socials, shepherding children's activities and participating in charity fund drives.

Similar scenarios will be playing out throughout DuPage County Aug. 4, mirroring the scene in an estimated 16,000 communities across the country as part of the National Night Out observance.

The annual event is aimed at building neighborhood camaraderie and fostering relationships between police agencies and the communities they protect. It's presented by a network of law enforcement groups under the umbrella of a national nonprofit crime prevention group, the National Association of Town Watch.

"It gets the neighborhood together. It's important for residents to interact with other residents. They're the eyes and the ears," said Julie Smith, Naperville's National Night Out coordinator.

Smith said Naperville has been participating in the program for 20 years.

"This year, we're partnering with 360 Youth Services' Power of Choice," Smith said. Residents in participating neighborhoods will have the opportunity to donate to the substance abuse prevention program.

For more information, visit www.naperville.il.us.

Here's a look at what's happening in some other DuPage towns:

West Chicago

West Chicago will hold its National Night Out observance from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in Reed-Keppler Park.

"We'll have tables from organizations that offer different programs," police officer Robyn Nielsen said. "We'll have a DJ, music and raffles."

Nielsen has been heading the event for the past several years.

"We get anywhere from 2,000 to 4,000 people; it kind of depends on the weather," she said. "It's a free event where (residents) get to mingle with the police. They get to meet the elected officials."

Nielsen said West Chicago Mayor Ruben Pineda is expected to attend, as well as U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam.

Wood Dale

Wood Dale plans to observe National Night Out with a party for residents from 5 to 7 p.m. behind the police station at 404 N. Wood Dale Road, police Chief Greg Vesta said.

The event will include games, a DJ, bingo and police unit demonstrations.

From 7 to 9 p.m., the action will move next door to the The Beach, the Wood Dale Park District Water Park.

"The kids get free swimming and we make them hot dogs and barbecued beef sandwiches," Vesta said.

Vesta said between 600 and 800 residents participate each year.

"We've had a lot of success with the program," he said.

Last year, the Wood Dale event was awarded third-place honors by the National Association of Town Watch in its category of towns with less than 15,000 residents, Vesta said.

Carol Stream

In Carol Stream, residents will gather at 6 p.m. at Community Park, 750 Thornhill Drive, for games, food and socializing at an event presented by the police department in conjunction with the Outreach Community Center and Our Savior Lutheran Church.

"It's a nice event to get some families out for no cost to them," police officer Tom Eby said.

Eby said the event usually draws about 150 people and is scheduled to go until dusk.

Itasca

In Itasca, the event is called Itasca Night Out. The water park will be open to the public from 5 to 10 p.m., with a DJ presenting music from 8 to 10 p.m.

From 6 to 7:30 p.m., the public library is offering a bingo contest with books for prizes, Sgt. Mike Schrader said. And the municipal complex will host a women's self-defense demonstration, he said.

"We have done it since 2004," Schrader said. "We do get a very good turnout, between 1,000 and 2,000 people. It's about getting the community to partner with the police."

Glendale Heights

The GH2O Aquatic Center at 240 Civic Centre Plaza in Glendale Heights will host a pool party from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

"This is the first year we're doing the pool," said Sgt. Rhonda Kirstein, who is coordinating the event.

Kirstein said the driveway in front of the plaza will be blocked to traffic so displays from GlenOaks Hospital, the Glenside Fire Protection District and the Bloomingdale Fire Protection District can be set up.

Several elected officials are expected to attend, Kirstein said, including state Rep. Deb Conroy.

There also will be free food.

"Last year, we served 300 hamburgers and 400 hot dogs," Kirstein said.

Glendale Heights also will host a blood drive, conducted by the Heartland Blood Center, from 3 to 7 p.m., said David Genty, the village's public affairs coordinator.