National Night Out Still a Simple, Effective Idea

National Night Out started as a simple movement asking neighbors to turn on their porch light and sit outside, Huntley Deputy Chief Todd Fulton said.

It’s grown into an event that often features elaborate block parties – including two in Huntley – with food, children’s activities and entertainment.

But it still can be simple, Fulton said.

If your neighborhood isn’t having a block party, Huntley police encourage you to turn on your porch lights, grab a lawn chair and sit outside to meet your neighbors and village officials on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

Huntley Police Chief John Perkins, city officials and Fulton will be driving through the town Tuesday attending seven scheduled block parties but will stop to talk with anyone sitting outside.

In Huntley, police beats are divided into geographical zones each with its own police sergeant. Each sergeant will be attending block parties on National Night Out. Two of the biggest parties will be at the Georgian Place subdivision and Sun City Huntley, Fulton said.

Georgian Place has a big one held at Parisek Park with a lot of games and entertainment, he said. Sun City Huntley is another elaborate party.

“Our goal is to get a couple of parties within each of the subdivisions throughout the village,” Fulton said. But right now, there are seven scheduled.

Volunteers organize the National Night Out events, so it can be time-consuming and difficult to get people to step up and take on the responsibility, Fulton said.

While some towns hold one event in a central location, Huntley police want to keep the parties in neighborhoods and find it’s much more effective, he said.

“It’s a night to get out and talk and meet people,” Fulton said.

Even though National Night Out has been around for 27 years, it’s still a good idea, Fulton said. It is still important to have Huntley residents work with police to fight crime and tackle issues important to families, he said.

“I think it’s a very relevant” program, Fulton said. “We all have to work together.”