National Nights Out around DuPage County to connect communities

It isn't every day that civilians are able to interact with police when they're not getting pulled over. Nor is it often they will converse with firefighters when something isn't in flames, or have time to chat with a neighbor.

But at National Night Out events around DuPage County, people are encouraged to turn on their porch lights, go outside in their neighborhoods and spend time with their neighbors and first responders.

A kickoff celebration is planned for 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1, at Centennial Beach, 500 W. Jackson Ave., Naperville, with swimming, a Naperville Police Department kayak race, a Naperville Fire Department Water Rescue Team demonstration and more.

Linda LaCloche, communications manager for the city of Naperville, said the city is always looking for ways to engage people and have a great time. This year, the city is partnering with Little Friends and asking people to bring a donation of a nonperishable food item.

This will be Naperville's 21st National Night Out event, and every year the police, fire and other city departments do their best to come to all the events in the community.

“We send our fire trucks, ambulance and police vehicles out so people can understand we're here to serve them, and we need to work together to find solutions,” LaCloche said.

Reinforcing these community relationships, LaCloche says, is part of what keeps Naperville safe.

“What plays a part in an active and strong community? It's people looking out for their neighbors,” LaCloche said. “They are always very vigilant. We are lucky here in the city of Naperville.”

Neighborhood events in Naperville will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2. Then an Emergency Vehicle Show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7, will showcase more than 50 emergency vehicles, including police cars, fire engines, S.W.A.T tactical units and more in downtown Naperville.

Like Naperville, communities throughout DuPage County will observe National Night Out.

In Lisle, for example, National Night Out events are planned from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, at Benedictine University's Rice Center and the Neuzil parking lot on campus, 5700 College Road. Benedictine is hosting the event for the third year, and organizers expect about 300 people to attend, said Benedictine University Police Chief Mike Salatino.

The night will consist of music, safety demonstrations, raffles, kid's games and vehicle demonstrations, including a car seat safety demonstration.

Though law enforcement will be present throughout the night, the real emphasis is on the community.

“This is not particularly a law enforcement endeavor, it's for the community to get together,” Salatino says. “It gets the community together and exposes the community to what first-responder resources are, and lets them hang out and have a good time.”

In Aurora, National Night Out festivities will happen in 34 different neighborhoods, said Cheryl Maraffio, community coordinator for the city of Aurora.

“People are recognizing more than ever the importance of knowing your neighbor, building relationships with neighbors, city officials,” Maraffio said.

The events can range from 40 to 50 participants to 1,000.

“There's all different levels of conversations and interactions,” Maraffio says. “People play games, talk to residents, and city officials are at every location actively participating and making it a whole citywide event.”