Palos Hills enjoys National Night Out

Palos Hills Mayor Jerry Bennett talks with a young resident during the city’s National Night Out on Tuesday night.

By Kelly White

Strengthening the relationship between neighbors and local law enforcement, the city of Palos Hills was proud to take part in National Night Out.

Palos Hills held its seventh annual National Night Out event on Tuesday at Town Square Park, 8455 W. 103rd Street.

“The City of Palos Hills is proud to again participate in the National Night Out Program, which recognizes the men and woman of the Palos Hills Police Department and the importance of their role in the community,” said Mayor Jerry Bennett. “This event has always been a fun evening for our residents with many free games, food and entertainment, but more importantly an opportunity to meet and talk to the members of our police department, and how together we can all continue to make the City of Palos Hills one of the safest communities in Illinois.”

The event that promotes police-community partnerships not only in Palos Hills, but all over the United States, is held annually on the first Tuesday of August. The event helps to increase awareness about police programs in communities, such as drug prevention, town watch, neighborhood watch, and other anti-crime efforts.

As Bennett said, the goal behind the initiative is to strengthen the relationship between neighbors and local law enforcement.

On Tuesday night, aside from talking to local law enforcement, residents were also able to tour police, fire and emergency vehicles and take photos of children sitting inside of the vehicles while pretending to drive them.

Included in the fun, as well, was live musical entertainment, children’s bounce houses, face painting, sidewalk chalk, balloon artists, free giveaways, while they lasted, and free hot dogs and other refreshments. Food was offered courtesy of Bennett and the North Palos Fire Protection District.

More than 500 attendees came out throughout the evening and gift bags were also given to the first 250 children in attendance.

Adults were not left out on the fun, however, as they could participate in senior citizen Bingo.

“Entire families had an opportunity to interact with local policemen in a relaxed fun, atmosphere,” said Kristin Violante, Palos Hills Parks & Recreation commissioner.

The free event was organized by the city of Palos Hills, the city’s Community Resource Department, the Palos Hills Police Department, North Palos Fire Protection District and Green Hills Public Library District.

“National Night Out is a great way to celebrate and thank the men and women who protect us every day in the city of Palos Hills,” Violante said. “The amount of people who come out to thank our police officers is very unique and the support we receive from the elected officials and other city staff for the event.”

Palos Hills police officers agreed.

“We look forward to this event every year,” said Police Chief Tony Carroccio. “It’s a chance to show the community that we are one of them and with them. Building relationships with kids early on supports positive development, and reduces delinquent acts. Additionally, it shatters current stigmas.”

In nearby Worth, the village invited on behalf of the Worth Police Department, all residents, families, and friends to its annual National Night Out event at Altman Park, which is adjacent to the Terrace Centre and just west of the Water’s Edge Golf Course.

This was the 40th year that the event has been held nationally. A total of 16,500 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases celebrated the event along with the city of Palos Hills.

Kids use chalk to draw on the sidewalk at Palos Hills’ seventh annual National Night Out event on Tuesday at Town Square Park, 8455 W. 103rd Street.