Community comes together for National Night Out

By: 
STAFF REPORT

 

Hundreds of folks came out to Old Smokey City Park on Tuesday, Aug. 7, for the fifth annual National Night Out event.

Braidwood joined with thousands of other communities in the coast to coast event designed to heighten drug prevention and crime awareness, generate support and participation in local anti-crime efforts, and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.

Visitors got to take part in games, fun, music, and food, and got to talk it up with local law enforcement. In addition to fun activities like face painting and a dunk tank, visitors were treated to educational displays like the Will County Sheriff’s “Hidden in Plain Sight” trailer, a simulated bedroom which highlights all the different ways teens can hide drugs or alcohol. Visitors could also participate in a drunk driving simulator, invited to tour emergency response vehicles, and saw a demonstration from Braidwood’s K9 Unit. The BPD also provided finger printing for children.

National Night Out was established in 1984 with funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), U.S. Department of Justice. The program is administered by the National Association of Town Watch, a nationwide organization dedicated to the development, maintenance, and protection of community-based, law enforcement-affiliated crime prevention activities.

The event was sponsored by the Braidwood Police Department, with cooperation from the Braidwood Park District and the City of Braidwood.