National Night Out a great opportunity to meet with neighbors, first responders

This editorial is a consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board.

For many of us, spending years in the same neighborhood doesn't necessarily mean we know our neighbors. Indeed, you can have hundreds of "friends" on social media without being able to name the family living in the house across the street.

National Night Out is a chance to change that.

The annual summer tradition encourages people to abandon the couch for an evening and venture outside to mingle with their neighbors and first responders.

This week, cities and villages throughout the suburbs are hosting events for National Night Out. A vast majority of the cookouts, block parties and get-togethers are happening on Tuesday night.

In a story that ran on Saturday, our Rick West quoted Elgin Police Chief Ana Lalley talking about how she enjoys National Night Out because it allows police officers and residents to show support for one another.

Lalley said the connections and relationships that officers develop with community members are important "to continue to build trust and work together in our focus to have a safe community for all."

We wholeheartedly agree.

Launched in the 1980s as an anti-crime campaign, National Night Out sought to get people to meet with neighbors, police officers and firefighters. Most participating communities celebrate it on the first Tuesday in August. This year, at least 200 municipalities in Illinois are participating.

Many of those towns are putting their own twist on the festivities.

So while the Bartlett Police Department will have "Picnic in the Park" on Tuesday, Elgin police officers will host neighborhood parties at six locations in their city.

Huntley will have a "police vs. fire" softball game before its community gathering in the Town Square on Main Street. And in Naperville, more than 45 neighborhoods have registered to host National Night Out events. Police, fire and other city officials will visit many of those gatherings.

But all the participating communities have a common goal - to heighten crime prevention awareness and strengthen the bond between communities and their first responders.

Interacting with first responders is an important part of National Night Out, especially since many of us rarely have the opportunity to chat with a cop or a firefighter. These events are a great way to establish a positive relationship with them.

Then there is the value of simply getting to know the people in your neighborhood.

Folks who know their neighbors are more likely to be on the lookout for suspicious activity and to call 911 when they see potential problems. Police cannot be everywhere all the time. Tips from residents can go a long way toward reducing crime.

If your community has a National Night Out event, check it out. And if your town does not participate, still take the time to meet with some of your neighbors.