Community members played games with Homewood Police officers in Irwin Park on Tuesday, Aug. 6. as a part of Homewood’s annual National Night Out.
“This is an event where the police and the community get together and have fun,” Homewood Deputy Police Chief Tom Johnson said. “This gives us a chance to go out and meet people on their level – without any commotion and without any crimes being committed.”
National Night Out is the first Tuesday of every August. According to National Night Out’s website, there are about 17,000 participating cities in the United States including 179 in Illinois. It’s been an annual event in Homewood as far back as Homewood Police Chief Denise McGrath can remember, she said.
The Village of Homewood set up a rock-climbing wall for teenagers and adults. This is the first National Night Out in Homewood to feature rock climbing, Homewood Village Events Manager Marla Youngblood said.
National Night Out. (Nick Ulanowski/H-F Chronicle)
A line of kids threw water balloons back and forth with a line of Homewood police officers. After every toss, the officers took a step back, making it harder to throw the water balloon without it breaking. Johnson said this game is what he looks forward to the most about National Night Out.
Two Homewood Police squad cars were parked inside the park with their headlights flashing. Attendees hopped inside the squad car and looked around at the gear inside.
Sergeant Nathan Bruni showed attendees Homewood Police equipment sitting on two tables. This included a battering ram, a Halligan bar, a riot shield, a camera for photographing crime scenes, evidence markers and other items.
Kids played Jenga at the South Suburban Special Recreation Association (SASRA) booth.
Kids and some adults participated in a hula hoop contest. The DJ, Todd Whitman, separated the contestants into groups by age. Some groups were kids between the ages of eight and 10. Other groups were between the ages of 10 and 13 and another group was aged 14 and older. The last contestant in each group to drop the hula hoop won prizes such as sunglasses, beads and other items.
Target had a booth and held a raffle. Winners received backpacks and other back-to-school items.
Project Fire Buddies, a nonprofit organization active in Homewood and other communities, informed attendees about what they do for sick children.
“A lot of times, they associate the fire department coming with ‘oh, I have to go to the hospital again,’” said Andrew Sline, firefighter-paramedic for the Homewood Fire Department and swag coordinator for Project Fire Buddies. “Whereas now, we show up with our lights on and we’re there to play with them. We bring them toys. We bring them gifts.”
Nicole Suhm provided attendees with information about Crisis Center for South Suburbia, a nonprofit organization for supporting domestic violence survivors.
“People can call our hotline 24/7. We have emergency shelter programming and counseling for domestic violence victims and kids who were witness to it,” Suhm said. “We have court advocates throughout the Markham and Bridgeview courthouses to assist with orders of protection. Most people know them as restraining orders.”
Metra and Canadian National railroad police officers were also present.