Police officers often meet members of their communities under difficult circumstances, when the residents have either apparently violated a law or have been victims of a crime.
National Night Out is intended as a chance for residents and police to mingle under friendlier, less fraught conditions, and on Tuesday, Aug. 1, Homewood and Flossmoor residents came out in droves to meet their officers and have some fun.
Both events featured food and games, with officers and kids tossing water balloons to each other.
In Homewood, the water-balloon toss has become so popular that it grew from one round last year to six rounds this year.
Homewood also added an ice cream eating contest this year. In Flossmoor, it was hot dogs on the grill.
In Homewood, kids also got a chance to see a University of Chicago Aeromedical Network helicopter land and take off. While it was on the field at Irwin Park, kids got to climb inside and take a look around.
There were also opportunities to learn more about police work. Department vehicles were on display, and officers were ready to help residents understand more about police work. Flossmoor gave tours of its fire station and equipment.
More information about the national event can be found at www.adtsecurity.com/resources/national-night-out-2017.