Crime Prevention Commission Hosts 19th Annual National Night Out on August 4

Join the Oak Forest Crime Prevention Commission, the Oak Forest Police Department and fellow residents in maintaining a safe and vibrant community at the 19th Annual National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the gazebo at City Hall, 15440 S. Central Avenue.

“National Night Out is a community effort to strengthen neighborhood spirit and encourage police- community partnership,” said Oak Forest Crime Prevention Commission Chair Dennis Mitzner. “This year’s event is designed to give residents the tools and confidence they need to prevent crime from occurring in our community. The best part is everything is free!”

The event will feature guided tours of the Oak Forest Police Department; the opportunity to Dunk- a-Cop for Special Olympics Illinois; free giveaways and raffles, including a chance to win one of three ASUS Memo Pad 7 devices (winners must be present); entertainment and refreshments; and kids activities, including pony rides, face painting, and jump houses. In addition, the Crime Prevention Commission will be giving away more than 300 blue light bulbs to residents so that they can light up their homes in support of the Oak Forest Police Department.

“I’m hoping Oak Forest residents embrace the blue lights so that we can show our police officers that we support the work they do in our community,” Mitzner said. “Our officers are some of the best in the country and this is a small way we can show them we appreciate their efforts to keep us safe.”

National Night Out is a unique crime and drug prevention event organized by the National Association of Town Watch and the Department of Homeland Security dedicated to the development and promotion of organized, law enforcement-affiliated crime and drug prevention programs. Since 1984, the event has grown to involve more than 37.8 million people from more than 16,123 communities.

For more information, contact the Crime Prevention Commission at 708-687-4050, ext. 1603.