Palos Hills Residents Take Back The Night At National Night Out

PALOS HILLS, IL — National Night Out returned to cities and communities throughout the United States a year after the police-community bonding celebration was canceled due to the pandemic.

Residents took back the night in Palos Hills Tuesday at Town Square Park. Kids got their faces painted, sat in police cars, climbed into fire trucks and played bingo in the community center.

Palos Hills police also showed off their new mini-caliber Swat and EOD robot. The $35,000 robot was given to the police department by an anonymous donor. Designed for rapid tactical missions, the robot is deployed to search rooms, hallways, stairwells and confined spaces. The mini-caliber effortlessly climbs stairs on its front and rear flippers. It also has an extendable rotating claw arm that can turn door handles, or drag a 250-pound human out of a room, an officer told Patch.

Hills Chamber members stuffed 200 backpacks with school supplies which were handed out to children who stopped by their table.