Local National Night Out events to celebrate first responders, promote community

By Isabella Schreck

Many residents will be able to meet their local police officers and police canines, while enjoying food and fun activities at local National Night Out Against Crime events coming up on Tuesday, Aug. 1.

The national event, which has occurred every year on the first Tuesday of August for the past four decades, is held across the country to bring together law enforcement and the community, along with bringing awareness about safety to the area.

Here are local communities taking part in this year’s event:

Hickory Hills

Second Hand Soul Band, with its ‘70s music featuring all the popular and one-hit wonder songs from that era, will continue the Hickory Hills’ Summer Concert Series at the National Night Out from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Kasey Meadow Park off 8047 W. 91st Place.

The Green Hills Public Library District, the city and its park district, the Roberts Park Fire Protection District and Old National Bank are sponsoring the event.

Oak Lawn

The Village of Oak Lawn will host its National Night Out event from 6-8 p.m. in the north parking lot of the Village Hall at 9446 Raymond Avenue.

A K9 officer, human officers and police and fire vehicles will be the highlights of the event. There will also be police and fire tours and a fire burn demo, where the department demonstrates what happens when a room with a sprinkler and without a sprinkler catches on fire.

An airbrush face artist and balloon artist will also be at the event, along with characters Chase and Marshall from the show PAW Patrol and Boy Scout Troop 596. There will also be a bouncy house.

For more information, residents can call 708-499-7837.

Orland Park

The village’s annual National Night Out Against Crime will run from 5-8 p.m. at the Orland Park Village Center at 14700 S. Ravinia Avenue.

There will be booths from different local vendors, food, free raffles and games for all ages. Officers and village’s K9 officer Maverick will also be in attendance for residents to meet and greet.

Palos Heights

Palos Heights will hold its annual National Night Out event from 6-9 p.m. at the Palos Heights police station off 7607 W. College Drive.

Residents of all ages can meet their local officers while enjoying music from a DJ, food and prizes. While having some fun, people can also learn how to stay safe and how to prevent crime in and around the area.

There will also be a balloon artist and K-9 and motorcycle demonstrations.

Palos Hills

The National Night Out event is set for 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Town Square Park at 8455 W. 103rd Street.

Along with the chance to meet local first responders, children, families and residents can enjoy live music, games and seeing police vehicles. Senior bingo, inflatables and face painting will also take place.

The event is organized by the city and its police department, Green Hills Public Library District and the North Palos Fire Protection District.

The city also invited residents to change their house and other outdoor lights to blue to celebrate and thank police officers.

For more information, call the Palos Hills Community Center at 708-430-4500.

Worth

Worth will again celebrate National Night Out at Altman Park (across from the Terrace Centre) from 6-9 p.m.

There will be Rolling Video Games Jumpies, Mr. D’s Magic House on Wheels, balloonist, face painter, DJ by Party til Dawn Entertainment, hot dogs and ice cream.

For information, visit www.villageofworth.com.

Palos Park

The Palos Park Police Department will celebrate the 40^th annual National Night Out with a week’s worth of activities called National Night Out Week.

Through early August, Palos Park’s focus will be on community partners like The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program, the Palos Park Police Department Citizens on Patrol Service (COPS) volunteers, Palos Park Police Explorer Cadet program, the You are not alone” program, which assists Palos Park Senior Citizens, the Palos Park Police Department’s Coffee with the Chief and Coffee with a Cop programs.

Police Commissioner Dan Polk will hold one of the police departments regular lunch forum sessions at 1 p.m. on Thursday, August 4, at Cog Hill, 12200 Archer Avenue.

Brookfield

The Chamber of Commerce for the Village of Brookfield will bring on the “fun” at its National Night Out event Tuesday.

The village will thank its police departments, firefighters and first responders from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Ehlert Park off 4314 Park Avenue.

All ages are welcome to the free event, which will feature food, games and meetings with local first responders. The chamber will also offer giveaways throughout the night.

This year’s “elite sponsors” are Linda Sokol Fracis/Brookfield Financial Plans and Mary’s Morning Mixup, among a long list of other sponsors.

Burbank

Burbank’s Police Department invites area residents to “join your neighbors and meet your officers” at its event from 5-8 p.m. at the police department building off 5650 W. 75th Place.

There will be food and ice cream trucks, games, bouncy houses and the opportunity to dunk-a-cop. “Fun activities” include child ID fingerprint kits, a chance to see the department’s emergency vehicles up close and a tour of the city’s detention center.

Summit

The Summit Police Department will host its National Night Out event from 5-8 p.m. by the big pavilion at Summit Park at 5700 S. Archer Road.

Residents of any age can stop by for an “enjoyable time” filled with refreshments and the chance to meet members of the department – including canine officers K9 Harley and K9 Bryan.

There will also be jump houses, an officer dunk tank and emergency vehicles for people to see how they work.

“We look forward to seeing the members of our community – come out and join us,” a statement on the department’s website read.

Bridgeview 

Bridgeview has another busy evening planned for this year’s National Night Out, set for 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 1.

“Every year, National Night Out has gotten bigger,” said Police Chief Ricardo Mancha.

“In Bridgeview, the police department, fire department and public works are all there, so residents get a chance to see how the village works,” he said.

There will be squad car rides offered, fire engine rides, touch-a-truck, tours of village hall, the police station and fire station, police dunk tank, and free hot dogs.

Public Works will provide a splash area for anyone who wants to cool off in a “water main break.”

Parking will be available behind Mama Luigi’s restaurant.

For information, call 708-594-2525.

Indian Head Park

All Indian Head Park residents, organizations and businesses are invited to join “Team Night Out 2023” at Blackhawk Park for a night where the village joins together to form a partnership and build a safer community in honor of the 40^th anniversary of National Night Out.

From 5-8 p.m. residents can enjoy refreshments, music, giveaways, and raffles while roaming the business fair.

From 6-8:15 p.m. the music group vintage will play at the pavilion.

From 8:30-11 p.m. There will be an outdoor movie shown in the park.

Other activities include Dave DiNaso’s Traveling World of Reptiles, Antique Model A Ford display by the Salt Creek Model A Ford Club and a 30-foot Obstacle Challenge for kids.