Fox Valley towns, groups host National Night Out
Residents of several communities throughout the Fox Valley will be participating Tuesday in the 31st annual National Night Out Against Crime with block parties, games and other activities. It is celebrated annually the first Tuesday of August in all 50 states. Its goal is to promote crime prevention and safety programs, strengthen police-community partnerships and encourage neighborhood camaraderie. Learn more at natw.org/about/.
Aurora
Aurora Township will join thousands of communities nationwide in celebrating National Night Out. The celebration will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Aurora Township Youth Center, 313 Gale St. It includes food, fun and games for the whole family.
Campton Hills
Campton Hills will host National Night Out for the eighth year in a row from 5 to 8 p.m. Join more than 25 organizations and local businesses as they come together to support the village and each other on School Street, just off Route 64. There will be hands-on and interactive activities for children and families as well as demonstrations of Search and Rescue Mounted Rangers and K-9 units. Parents can register their children to a national database which can help identify them in case they go missing. Parents can also learn how to prepare their families for emergencies in their community. There also will be opportunities to learn from local health care practitioners and meet local officials. Free snacks and food samples will be available. Police will be grilling hot dogs and food also will be available for purchase. If you are interested in helping with National Night Out, call village hall at (630) 584-5700.
Carpentersville
The village of Carpentersville will celebrate National Night Out from 5 to 8 p.m. at the police department, 1200 L.W. Besinger Drive. This is a free event for all residents. Canned goods will be accepted to benefit the local food pantry. The following items will be collected to benefit the Two Rivers Head Start: markers, crayons, glue, shaving cream (any kind), food coloring, flour, salt, glitter, Popsicle sticks, and any other art supplies. There will be yard games and inflatables for children. There will also be an extrication demonstration by the fire department as well as emergency vehicles on display. For an additional cost, enjoy hot dogs and ice cream. There will be information from vendors on home safety and security. Raffle tickets for $10 will be on sale for a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle to benefit the Special Olympics of Illinois. For information, call Officer Joe Pilarski at (224) 293-1700 or email jpilarski@vil.carpentersville.il.us.
Elgin
The city will celebrate National Night Out at an All-City Block Party beginning at 6 p.m. at Festival Park, 132 S. Grove Ave. The Elgin Police Department's Tactical Response Team equipment will be on display. Elgin Police Officer Marshall Kite and his K-9 partner, Gage, will be visiting beginning at 7 p.m. There will be popcorn, inflatables, a splash-pad, train, antique fire truck, and Safety Town. The movie "Ghostbusters" will begin at dusk.
Huntley
Grab your family and join your Huntley neighbors in this annual effort to strengthen neighborhood spirit and foster community partnerships. National Night Out is designed to heighten crime prevention and drug awareness. One goal is to send a message to criminals letting them know that the residents are organized and working with the police to protect their neighborhoods. It is an opportunity to meet your neighbors, police officers and village officials. As part of the National Night Out campaign, the Huntley Police Department encourages all residents to turn on outside lights and asks them to go outside and meet their neighbors. Officers will be driving through the subdivisions to meet with residents who are outside, and will also be attending neighborhood parties.
Kane County
The Kane County Sheriff's Office National Night Out event is set from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at 37W755 Route 38, St. Charles. The event includes an inflatable obstacle course, face painting and a balloon artist, as well as a Superior Air medical helicopter. The sheriff's office bomb unit, corrections response team, court security, honor guard, special weapons and tactics, and K-9 unit will be in attendance. There will be mounted rangers and representatives from the division of transportation, Kane Comm emergency communications, the Kane County State's Attorney Juvenile Division, and the Kane County Farm Bureau. There is no cost to attend.
Lake in the Hills
The Lake in the Hills Police Department participates in the National Town Watch Association's National Night Out Against Crime. Events include block parties throughout the village, and a Community Cookout. The block parties will be from 7 to 10 p.m. A block party can be hosted by any resident who wants to host one. All they need to do is register with the police department. Some of last year's party hosts hired DJs and rented moonwalks. They can be as simple as a small gathering or as elaborate as a picnic buffet and cookout, it's up to the host. The Community Cookout will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Lake in the Hills Safety Education Center, 1109 Crystal Lake Road. If you have any questions, call the Crime Prevention/Community Relations Division at the police department at (847) 658-5676.
McHenry County
The McHenry County Conservation District, McHenry County sheriff's office and the Wonder Lake Fire Department team up to celebrate National Night Out from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Harrison Benwell Conservation Area, 7055 McCullom Lake Road, Wonder Lake. The event promotes crime prevention and safety programs, while strengthening police-community partnerships and encouraging neighborhood camaraderie. Residents of all communities in the 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 that will be on display. Special demonstrations are scheduled throughout the evening: Extrication at 5:30 and 6:50 p.m. by Wonder Lake Fire Department; Precision Riding Motorcycle Demo at 5:50 and 7:10 p.m. by McHenry County Conservation District Police; and police K-9 demonstration at 6:10 p.m. by the sheriff's office. Check for event updates on the McHenry County sheriff's office Facebook page or the Conservation District's website at MCCDistrict.org, or by calling (815) 338-2144.
South Elgin
The South Elgin Police Department will host "The Party in the Park against crime" for National Night Out from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Jim Hansen Park, 338 Valley Forge Ave. Several area and state law enforcement, civic groups, military and local business will be attending. There will be demonstrations from two different martial arts studios, plus representatives from Advocate Sherman Health Care, Elgin's Community Crisis Center, ADT Home Security, Epic Air trampoline Park, Kane County Sheriff's Mounted Rangers and American Eagle Bank. South Elgin police will give a K-9 demonstration. Also featured will be Tammy Town, a traveling training town to promote child safety. South Elgin and Countryside Fire Protection District will have its Emergency Smoke House for all kids to experience. The fire district will also have several fire engines, ambulances and fire apparatus on display, plus a diving demonstration during which kids will be able to talk to the fireman under water. Sparky the Fire Dog will also be on hand to meet the kids. A Superior Flight for Life medical transport helicopter will be landing at approximately 7 p.m. The parks and recreation department will have carnival-type games and hayrides. The AAA Motor Club will provide two driving simulators for people 16 and older.