Like every year, and in communities nationwide La Grange Park celebrated National Night Out on August 6.
But this year, the celebration was held in Western Springs and the event also included the La Grange and Countryside police departments.
The event was staged at the Tower Green at 914 W. Hillgrove Avenue, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., and drew several hundred people.
“What I like to do is get out with the public, show them that we can have comfortable conversations with people,” Western Springs Police Chief Sean Gilhooley said. “Sometimes conversations can not be under the best circumstances. This is kind of informal, it’s a chance for us to talk, show them that we’re human beings as well and we’re trying to do what’s best for the community.”
Police vehicles from all four departments were displayed, including an antique Chicago Plymouth squad car from the 1960s, fire engines from the departments, and a drone demonstration was conducted.
There was even a chance for youngsters to leave painted handprints on a La Grange Park squad car.
Food vendors offered burgers and cakes, and Starbucks provided free iced coffee and lemonade. “Smallcakes Cupcakery and Ice Cream, a six-year-old business at 4700 Gilbert, offered treats to visitors.
The rationale behind bringing all four departments to the event is that they are all served by the Lyons Township Area Communications Center (LTACC), the consolidated dispatch center based in the La Grange Police Department, 304 W. Burlington Ave.
“We went with all the LTACC communities,” Gilhooley said. “We figured we’re all on the same frequency, let’s all get together…we did it this year, and hopefully we’ll do it every year this way.”
Indeed, staff from LTACC were on hand to help inform citizens about their role in keeping communities safe.
La Grange Park is one of 156 Illinois towns to participate in the event that has grown from being a small neighborhood gathering in suburban Pennsylvania to a national phenomenon.
The National Night Out website describes the event as a “community-building campaign” that promotes “police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.”
It began in the early 1970s when officials in the Lower Merion Philadelphia suburb began a community watch event that in 1981 grew into the National Association of Town Watch and then morphed into the first-ever National Night Out event in 1984.
In 2022, La Grange Park’s National Night Out included a parade lasting about 2 and one-half hours, drawing about 1,000 people; 2021 saw both events canceled by concerns relating to COVID-19. Last year, the combined event between the La Grange Park and Western Springs departments was held at Memorial Park.
In 2017, La Grange Park’s event earned a Top 15 spot in the nation in its population category.
“National Night Out is about strengthening the relationship between law enforcement and the communities that they serve,” La Grange Park Police Chief Tim Contois, said.
Other Village officials from all four towns were on hand, including La Grange Park President James Discipio, La Grange Park Trustee Mike Sheehan, and Western Springs Village Manager Ellen Baer.
“This event is a great example of community, and our police and fire department — all our public safety employees are thrilled to come out and get a chance to meet with our residents,” Ellen Baer said. “The partnership that we’re doing, with La Grange Park, and La Grange and Countryside is a great way to honor what we do collaboratively through LTACC.”
Residents were enthused about National Night Out.
“This is great,” Danielle Hull, a Western Springs resident, said. “It builds a sense of community and has a presence with first responders—fire and law enforcement—so the community understands what they do.”
La Grange Park resident Tom Norvilas was driving his son home from swimming practice when he saw the crowd gathered.
“We just happened to be driving by, actually, and we were playing at the park,” he said. “We were driving by watching trains, we saw all the fire trucks and police cars and we thought we’d stop by.”
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
