Arlington Heights Hosts National Night Out Aug. 7

Gather your family, neighbors and friends and stop by North School Park at Eastman Street and Arlington Heights Road from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7.

The National Association of Town Watch and Target Stores sponsor the event nationally. 

Learn about crime and drug prevention awareness! This event generates support and participation in local anti-crime efforts to strengthen neighborhood spirit and community relations. 

The village of Arlington Heights event has received national recognition in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.  

Our event is compared to other events in jurisdictions with populations between 50,000 and 99,000. The Arlington Heights NNO celebration has moved up the rankings each year. 

In 2011 our event was ranked 15th nationally and the highest in Illinois for our category.

National Night Out will be bigger and better in 2012.  The following will be part of the event:

• Illinois CHIP Program sponsored by the Illinois Masons will provide parents with a free disc containing their child’s fingerprints, photograph and voice sample.  A DNA sample can also be requested.

• The Arlington Heights Police Department K-9 unit will conduct a full demonstration which includes bite and drug work.  There will also be police representatives from the following specialty assignments:  Accident Reconstruction, Financial Crimes, Child Safety Seat technicians, Crime Prevention, Forensics, Traffic, and Animal Welfare.

• The Arlington Heights Fire Department will conduct a repelling victim rescue demonstration.  They will also have several vehicles on display.

• The Cook County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad will display their equipment which may include an isolation chamber and robot.

• Illinois State Police DUI golf cart course will be one of the attractions.

•  Village of Arlington Heights Engineering Department will be sponsoring a child fun photo booth.

• The Arlington Heights Police Department Traffic Unit will demonstrate their motorcycle skills.     

• The American Red Cross is displaying their disaster command post vehicle.

• The United States Army will be bringing numerous vehicles, various combat simulators and a football toss game.

• The Union Pacific Railroad will have an informational display. 

• The Arlington Heights Park District will provide free beverages and food items, children’s games, business expo and other fun activities.

There will be much more than what was listed above.  For additional information contact:

Officer Doug Hajek at 847-368-5330 or dhajek@vah.com

Laura Oberg at the Park District at 847-506-7872 or loberg@ahpd.org

Information submitted by the Arlington Heights Police Department