Nearly 40 Naperville neighborhoods have registered to take part Tuesday in festivities for National Night Out, the annual initiative to enhance community spirit and strengthen the partnership between the police and residents.
A wide variety of activities are planned to encourage one another to spend the evening outside together. Some may draw a few dozen people, while others plan for several hundred, said Julie Smith, Naperville Police Department’s National Night Out coordinator.
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Cookouts, potluck dinners, food trucks, balloon artists, face painters, bounce houses and even an old-fashioned pie-eating contest will be among the activities occurring throughout the city, she said. Each neighborhood’s party starts at a different time, with participating neighborhoods listed on the city’s website at www.naperville.il.us/nno.
“There’s no right or wrong way to participate in National Night Out,” Smith said.
Representatives from city departments, including police, fire, public works and animal control, will visit the neighborhood parties from 5 to 8 p.m.
Smith said that helps put a face with a name, and officials enjoy interacting with residents. She noted that while members of the police department often see residents when there’s a problem or a crime has occurred, National Night Out events allows for informal and positive interactions.
The community celebrations also boost camaraderie among neighbors in a casual and fun evening, Smith said.
“We really make it a whole citywide celebration,” she said.
This is the 29th year Naperville has been participating in National Night Out festivities, part of a nationwide effort to heighten drug prevention and crime awareness and generate support for local anti-crime efforts.
But residents who live in neighborhoods that aren’t planning an event won’t be left out.
The city is holding a community kick-off party at 6:30 p.m. Monday with festivities to be held at the Fry Family YMCA, 2120 95th St.
Guests can check out police equipment, jump around in a bounce house, play games and enjoy food during the free, family-friendly event. At dusk, a movie will be shown outdoors with free popcorn.
Each year the city chooses an area nonprofit organization to support, and this year, the city has partnered with Metropolitan Family Services.
Together with Family Shelter Service, they offer help to those affected by domestic violence by providing emergency shelter services, a 24-hour hotline, and court and community advocacy for victims.
Neighborhoods are encouraged to conduct a donation drive to benefit Metropolitan Family Services, which needs items such as diapers, personal care products like shaving cream, body wash and hair brushes, and household items such as laundry soap, blankets, sheets and bath towels. A wish list is located on the city’s website.
National Night Out was introduced in 1984 through a network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, state and regional crime prevention associations and volunteers. The first event involved 2.5 million people across 400 communities in 23 states, according to its history.
In the years that followed, National Night Out grew and neighborhoods across the country now host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and other events along with safety demonstrations and visits from emergency personnel. It’s always held on the first Tuesday in August.
This year, 181 cities in Illinois will be taking part in National Night Out events.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.