Despite rainy beginnings, residents and police of the 14th District and many others gathered at Holstein Park (2200 N. Oakley Ave.) to be apart of the festivities of National Night Out, which turned into a cool sunny evening Aug 7.
“Our involvement here today is to try to get the community together, and really just build relationships,” said Officer Tom McNamara of the 14th District. “That’s what we want to do and that is what National Night Out is all about.”
National Night Out is a nation-wide community building event first celebrated in 1984. The purpose of the campaign was, and still is, to bring the police and community together.
The event at Holstein Park was not in short supply of entertainment, food or fun throughout the day. Live music was in the air as neighbors greeted one another during the joyous occasion. Giveaways and chances to win bicycles in a raffle were also part of the fun. There was free food from various vendors as well. Bouncy castles and inflatable slides gave rather energetic children a chance to burn off some of that energy. For the more adventurous spirits, the National Guard hauled in a rock climbing spire onto West Shakespeare Avenue.
“What I judge success is that I see people out here talking and meeting each other. That means if something does happen they can look out for each other,” McNamara said. “That’s what we do—we are Chicago, we are a great city and we got to stick together, to look out for each other.”
For information and to stay updated on future events, follow the department on Twitter.
Check out our gallery of pictures from the event. All photos by Zack Keltner
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