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Lansing police and community come together for National Night Out

by Katie Arvia

LANSING, Ill. (August 8, 2018) – Each year, the Lansing Police Department and the Lansing community are among the millions of neighbors across America who participate in National Night Out. According to the National Night Out web page, it is “an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.”

Typically scheduled for the first Tuesday in August (although Texas celebrates in October), National Night Out celebrations in all 50 states include block parties, festivals, and parades. In Lansing, the party was held last night at Rotary Park (193rd and Sherman), from 5:00–8:00pm.

National Night Out
From left: Officer Steve Roberts, Lieutenant Scott Bailey, and Deputy Chief Rick Slough manned the grill and provided free hot dogs for participants. (Photo: Katie Arvia)
National Night Out
Cadet Ann Marie Hawsier (left) and Cadet Sergeant Kennedy Iwaszko were on hand to show off the LPD’s cool rides and give kids a chance to take a seat behind the wheel. (Photo: Katie Arvia)
National Night Out
Kids were allowed to take the wheel of LPD’s Nasquad racing car. (Photo: Katie Arvia)
National Night Out
From the Thornton Police Department, Officer Houts and 5-year-old Geronimo participated in a K9 demonstration. Geronimo was trained using Dutch commands and has worked with Officer Houts for several years. Officer Houts also works with the Lansing K9 unit. (Photo: Katie Arvia)
National Night Out
Other fun surprises included a bouncy house…
National Night Out
…and free face painting, as well as a kids-only raffle, a dunk tank, and other games and activities. (Photos: Katie Arvia)
National Night Out
Thornton Township supports National Night Out, and Community Relations Manager Ernst Lamothe welcomed guests to Rotary Park and handed out free goody bags. (Photo: Katie Arvia)
National Night Out
Lansing residents enjoyed the opportunity to meet and talk to some of Lansing’s police officers. Those in attendance were treated to free hot dogs, chips, snow cones, and more. (Photo: Katie Arvia)
Katie Arvia
Katie Arvia
Katie is a lifelong Lansing native who currently works full-time in marketing while also freelance reporting for The Lansing Journal. In 2015, she graduated with high honors from Saint Xavier University in Chicago with a BA in English, and she plans to pursue a Master's degree in the near future. Her favorite Lansing Journal assignments include coverage of TF South High School's walkout ("Demonstrating the possibilities") and her St. Patrick's Day interview with her grandma ("St. Patrick's Day traditions: reflections of an Irish granddaughter").