National Night Out in Naperville
National Night Out Against Crime brings people out of their homes and into their neighborhoods. The idea is simple: If you know your neighbors and understand a little bit about police work, you'll be more prepared to spot unusual activity and prevent crime.
Naperville Police officer Cory Cullinan said the Aug. 5 event promotes community partnerships.
"It's a little appreciation ... from the city to the community and back and forth," he said. "It's a nice way to open communication with residents among themselves and with various city departments."
In Aurora, neighborhood events can range from small gatherings to large neighborhood block parties with entertainment and guest appearances by local officials. Support from local law enforcement agencies has helped forge strong partnerships with residents and property owners.
"National Night Out is celebrated once a year, but it truly is a culmination of activities aimed at crime prevention throughout the year," said Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner. "In Aurora, I think we have caught the spirit of the event, which is to strengthen partnerships between the community and the police."
It also helps bring together neighbors at a time when people are more mobile and less connected.
"As neighborhoods change and residents move in and out, National Night Out provides a means to get to know neighbors and police officers in a fun event", said Aurora Chief of Police Gregory Thomas. "The goal of the evening is to create a sense of commitment to reducing crime and a desire to improve the quality of life."
Here's a quick look at what's happening in DuPage County communities on Aug. 5:
Addison
• Addison's National Night Out, sponsored by the Addison Police Department's crime prevention unit, will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on the Village Green east of Village Hall, 1 Friendship Plaza. The event will include the seventh annual Addison by the Slice Pizza Bake-Off and a concert by the Limited Edition Big Band at 7:30 p.m. For details, visit www.addisonadvantage.org.
Aurora
• Alden Gardens of Waterford Assisted Living Community is hosting an ice cream social from 6 to 9 p.m. at the facility, 1955 Randi Drive in Aurora. Friends, family, neighbors and local police are invited to come together in honor of "National Night Out," designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and strengthen police/community partnerships. To register or for more information, call (630) 851-1880.
• Neighborhoods throughout Aurora are encouraged to join with thousands of communities nationwide for the 25th anniversary of National Night Out. From 6 to 9 p.m., residents are asked to lock their doors, turn on their outside lights, and spend the evening outside getting to know their neighbors.
Bloomingdale
The Bloomingdale Police Department, Bloomingdale Neighborhood Watch Program and Bloomingdale Park District will host National Night Out Against Crime from 6 to 9 p.m. At the Oasis Water Park, 170 S. Circle. Free admission. The will feature hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, cookies and safety activities throughout the evening. The park district also will open the pool for free. Prizes also will be available. For details, call (630) 529-3650 or visit www.bloomingdaleparks.org.
Carol Stream
• The National Association of Town Watch and Carol Stream's Police Department will sponsor the 25th annual National Night Out beginning at 5 p.m. at Community Park, Thornhill Drive east of Schmale Road. The event includes a barbecue, carnival rides, live entertainment. For details, call (630) 668-2167.
Glendale Heights
• The village is planning an evening of activities at the Civic Center complex, near the Sports Hub on Fullerton Avenue, from 6 to 8 p.m. Trustees are in charge of grilling the free hot dogs and hamburgers that will be served along with free drinks. The fire department will be there with trucks, and the police department will have drunken driving goggles so people can experience the visual symptoms of intoxication. Officers also volunteered to hop into a dunk tank as a fundraiser. The village's police dog, Cherry, is expected to attend with longtime handler Officer Ron Kirstein.
Itasca
Families can walk, pedal or skate to Itasca Municipal Campus, 550 W. Irving Park Road for Itasca's 25th anniversary of National Night Out from 5 to 9 p.m. There will be a U.S. Army display including free dog tags and rock climbing wall, a WONKAMobil with candy and prizes, Bob Love of the Chicago Bulls, children identification DNA kids, unwanted prescription drop-off, Fight Like a Girl Demonstrations starting at 6 p.m., Open Pool Family H20 Water Park from 5 to 10 p.m., temporary tattoos and face painting, a fire vehicle display, free energy efficient compact light bulbs, raffles, Mercedes-Benz coloring books, Spring Brook Nature Center activities and a Veterans of Foreign War display. Additionally, thousands of Legos from Legoland Discovery Center in Schaumburg will be available, along with appetizers, hot dogs and ice cream donated by area restaurants and businesses. For more information call (630) 773-2257.
Naperville
Naperville is celebrating National Night Out from 5 to 9 p.m. Nearly 40 neighborhoods will hold their own events such as block parties, ice cream socials and bike parades. Naperville police are encouraging residents to lock their doors, turn on their outside lights and spend the evening outdoors with their neighbors. City staff, police officers and firefighters will be visiting these events around the city. For more information, visit www.naperville.il.us/nationalnightout.aspx.
Roselle
• Roselle's National Night Out event will be from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Clauss Recreation Center, 555 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. The event will include an appearance by Rose Queen Stephanie Reninger, entertainment, games, family activities, a bike ride with a police escort, food, a drive-in movie at Lake Park High School, an emergency vehicle display and more. Admission is free. For details, visit www.roselle.il.us or call (630) 671-4060.
Villa Park
• The Villa Park Police Department is coordinating with several Neighborhood Watch groups that are spearheading independent events throughout the community between 7 and 10 p.m. One are of the village is having a parade march to Lufkin Pool where the neighbors will mark the occasion with a pool party. Another group is gathering with lemonade and desserts, while other groups are showing their solidarity in the fight against crime with root beer floats. Police Chief John Payne and some officers, along with Village President Joyce Stupegia will be stopping by all of the events. They'll be giving out snacks and goodies. "We're looking for people to get outside and reconnect with their neighbors," officer Marc Bregman said. Anyone who wants to find a Neighborhood Watch or event near them should call the police department at (630) 834-7447,
Wood Dale
Wood Dale Police Department' National Night Out will be from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Wood Dale Water Park, 161 W. Commercial St., and the field between the water park and the police department, 404 N. Wood Dale Road. Parking is available at the water park. Bingo and the dunk tank, where visitors can dunk local alderman and police officers, begin at 5 p.m. From 5 to 7 p.m. there also will be a DJ, children's games, police and fire safety displays and activities. From 7 to 9 p.m., free swim starts at the water park and free food, raffles and more activities will be available. For details, call Eileen Schultz or Sgt. Paul Wyse at (630) 766-2060.
West Chicago
West Chicago Police Department's National Night Out will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in Community High School's west parking lot, 326 Joliet St., West Chicago. Residents are asked to lock their doors, turn on their outside lights and spend the evening with neighbors, law enforcement officers and elected officials. There will be crime prevention displays and demonstrations, as well as special guest appearances by Batman, Dora the Explorer, Elmo, Smokey the Bear and McGruff, the crime prevention dog. The West Chicago Lions Club will serve free hot dogs and ice cream, and other local businesses will be on hand to pass out free samples. For details, call officer Robyn Nielsen at (630) 293-2751 or visit www.westchicago.org to view a slide-show of last year's event.
Winfield
The Winfield Police Department will be sponsoring a National Night Out event from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Creekside Park, located along Winfield Road, just south of Beecher Avenue in Winfield. Several area businesses will be in attendance. For more information, contact the police department at (630) 933-7160.