Towns across the region plan Night Out Against Crime

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South Elgin Firefighter Patrick Gordon views the village’s National Night Out event at Concord Park in August 2010 from 105 feet in the air atop the fire protection district’s Tower 1 apparatus. | File~ Sun-Times Media

Updated: November 25, 2011 12:22AM

It was 28 years ago that an organization called the National Association of Town Watches decided to broaden its effort to have neighbors watch out for suspicious activity in their neighborhood.

The group decided, “Why not try to bring all these neighbors together once a year with local police and firefighters in a night of education, partying and bonding called the National Night Out Against Crime?”

Last year’s Night Out involved 10,000 cities and villages, and drew 37 million people nationwide, according to the association.

This year, National Night Out falls on Tuesday, and Fox Valley cities and villages plan to celebrate in a variety of ways. Big Elgin has worked through local neighborhood organizations to set up no fewer than 30 separate parties, each bringing together people who live close to each other. Bartlett had plans for three days of events, with activities galore on Friday, Saturday and Tuesday. Yet other towns, such as the Dundees and South Elgin, each will hold one big event at a single location Tuesday evening.

Most of the events are financed by donations from numerous local businesses.

Elgin

The biggest city in our area will celebrate National Night Out in the most local way — with more than 30 block parties Tuesday night targeted to people who live in each specific area.

“National Night Out is a nationwide program that fosters neighborhood spirit while promoting community and police partnerships,” police Crime Prevention Specialist Cherie Aschenbrenner said in a press release. “Locally, the night also helps cultivate awareness about anticrime initiatives in Elgin.”

She said city officials will visit all of the registered block parties. Times vary depending on the neighborhood organizers, but she said most will start between 6 and 7 p.m., with nearly all ending around 8:30 p.m.

Aschenbrenner said most block parties are open only to residents of a particular neighborhood. But if anyone hasn’t been invited to one and wants to attend a National Night Out celebration, he or she can go to one of two parties sponsored by local Resident Officer of Elgin (ROPE) officers, she said. Those will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Drake Field, 701 Hastings St.; and at Sheridan Elementary School, 510 Franklin St.

Bartlett

The area’s next most ambitious effort, which has won special recognition from the national organization, is Bartlett’s multiday celebration. Skating, swimming, train riding and crafts on Friday evening were to be followed by 15 block parties and a lighting competition Saturday.

A full slate of activities in and around Bartlett Park on Tuesday is to include a bike ride and safety check from 2 to 4:30 p.m. and a picnic from 5 to 9 p.m. that will include the Jesse White Tumblers, a karate demonstration, BMX stunt biking, Benny the Bull, and a Hyperdogs Performance Review. For more details, see www.village.bartlett.il.us or see our news story from Thursday at http://couriernews.suntimes.com/lifestyles/6720288-423/bartlett-national-night-out-begins-friday.html.

South Elgin

South Elgin’s Night Out will be held in Concord Park from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Concord Park is east of McLean Boulevard and west of Route 31 (LaFox Street) at the corner of Concord and Valley Forge avenues.

The events, many of them aimed at kids, will include face painting, a balloon magician, a moonwalk, hay rides, games for kids and the South Elgin & Countryside Fire Protection District’s Smokehouse.

Police, fire and public works vehicles will be on display, and firefighters and police officers will meet with the visitors. Participants also can see McGruff the Crime Dog race against other mascots; meet Capt. Jack Sparrow; try to dunk their favorite school liaison officer in a dunk tank; see an Air Med One Superior helicopter land; and learn how to join in Neighborhood Watch.

Dundees

West and East Dundee will join in a bash from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at West Dundee Public Safety Center No. 1, at 555 S. Eighth St. (Route 31).

Activities will include a free hot dog cookout; disc jockey music; a karate demonstration; children’s identification kits; moonwalks; a petting zoo; games; information about safety and crime prevention; and tours of the fire and police station and vehicles.

Pingree Grove

Police Chief Carol Lussky said Pingree Grove will mark the night with festivities outside the Cambridge Lakes Community Center on Wester Boulevard from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Besides getting a chance to wet their favorite local police officers in a dunk tank, attendees will be able to view Pingree Grove & Countryside Fire District vehicles, visit with police officers and firefighters, get information about crime prevention, and buy lemonade from the charity group Pingree Cares.

Kane County Sheriff

The Kane County Sheriff’s Department will celebrate its 175th anniversary as part of its National Night Out activities Tuesday.

Beacause of the heat and the chance for storms, the event will be held indoors from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the sheriff’s office, 37W755 Route 38, St. Charles. There will be a tribute to the victims of the 9/11 attacks as well as a presentation on the anniversary of the sheriff’s office.

Representatives from local various crime prevention programs and neighborhood watch will be on hand along with Citizens Police Academy alumni; SWAT team, CRT, K-9 and Court Security booths and TRIAD representatives. A helicopter is to arrive between 6 and 7 p.m., weather permitting.

Kane Forest District

The Forest Preserve District of Kane County will hold a children’s bike safety event from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Wasco Elementary School, at 4N782 School St., Wasco. Children should bring their own bikes and helmets to get training in how to see and be seen, how to use hand signals, and a chance to try out their new skills on a course laid out at the school.

Carpentersville

Police Officer Joe Pilarski said village budget cuts have kept Carpentersville from holding any large central celebration this year, but the police department has urged Neighborhood Watch people to hold neighborhood block parties.