National Night Out Events in the Chicago Southland Help Connect Communities

The National Night Out event originated in 1984 and it continues in towns, cities and villages around the country, including several in the Chicago Southland, more than four decades later as a way of bringing communities closer together.

It was introduced through an organization called the National Association of Town Watch that was established earlier in Pennsylvania that sought to provide resources to community watch groups in an era before the internet and social media.

The first annual National Night Out involved 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states. National Night Out grew to become a celebration among watch groups, civic groups, state and regional crime prevention associations and volunteers across the nation along with residents of the communities.

Neighborhoods across the nation began to host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events in conjunction with this event held annually in early August. The events included safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and more.

The National Night Out events continue to encourage community involvement and help to form a positive connection between law enforcement and those in the communities they serve.

The state of Illinois will have 182 participating communities this year. Find a full list here: https://natw.org/about/

Within the Chicago Southland, you can join the fun at the following events:

Calumet City's National Night Out Against Crime, August 5
Calumet City Public Library, 660 South Manistee Avenue, Calumet City

Touch a Truck and National Night Out - Flossmoor, August 5
Flossmoor Village Hall Parking Lot, 2800 Flossmoor Road, Flossmoor

Village of Homewood's National Night Out, August 5
Irwin Park, 18120 Highland Avenue,Homewood

Lansing’s National Night Out, August 5
Fox Pointe, 18138 Henry Street, Lansing

National Night Out - Matteson, August 5
Matteson Village Hall, 4900 Village Commons, Matteson

National Night Out - Monee, August 5
Monee Reservoir, 27341 Ridgeland Avenue, Monee

National Night Out - Richton Park, August 5
Glaeser Park, 22503 Balmoral Drive, Richton Park

Thornton's National Night Out, August 5
Thornton Community Center, 701 Highland Avenue F, Thornton

Photo credit: photo on right by Anthony Schalk

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