Like many police departments around Lake County, Highland Park police hosted the community at National Night Out on Tuesday.
Highland Park’s sixth-annual event in front of City Hall featured games, activities, giveaways, demonstrations, live music from the group See Alice and a popular, foam cloud-producing inflatable attraction. The foam party pit, something never experienced by many, literally provided good clean fun.
Wind gusts during the event’s opening ceremony caused dramatic foam clouds to blow into the path of the Highland Park Police Honor Guard. Staffed by Detective Trevor Hansen and Officer Rob Larson, the honor guard walked to the front of City Hall to present the colors despite the foamy clouds floating by.
People with cameras snapped images of the fluffy clouds, as foam landed in glops of all sizes and stayed surprisingly intact on the lawn.
Aurora Solomon-Filer, 7, a rising second-grader from Highland Park, blew a kiss to her mother Cassandra while playing in the foam pit.
“I think it’s fantastic,” her mother said. “I would have probably been okay with a mud pit, too.”
Police Chief Louis E. Jogmen said, “This special event is a chance for police officers to get to know community members, and our community members to get to know our police team, share important information about public safety and build partnerships that make our community safer and more collaborative.”
Administrative Services Officer Jacqui White, who planned the event with executive assistant Leigh Delaney, also addressed the audience.
“We know that communities where police work and play alongside residents are safer communities, and the team at the Highland Park Police Department truly values that partnership,” White said. “Events like National Night Out are one way for us to reach out and thank you for welcoming our team into your lives.”
Highland Park Councilmember Barisa Meckler Bruckman also spoke to the audience and attended with family.
“Special events like National Night Out are among the best parts of living in Highland Park,” Meckler Bruckman said. “Seeing neighbors, non-profit organizations and our community’s first responders come together for this family event each year is a reminder that we all contribute to making our community more welcoming, more fun and, most importantly, safer.”
Besides the foam party pit, amenities included a bounce house, a drone display, touch-a-truck opportunities, cart rides and free shaved ice from a Kona Ice food truck.
“That’s always one of my favorite events to do … National Night Out,” Kona Ice event manager Alexis Passannante said. “I feel like it’s always just a fun event. The vibe’s really good.”
There was also a water dunk tank. Michael Bryant, who plays quarterback for the Highland Park High School Giants football team, volunteered for a dunk tank shift.
“It’s chilly, but the water is warm,” he said.
Community informational tables included BeSMARTforKids.org, staffed by volunteer and parent Ellie Ander of Highland Park. The Be SMART campaign was launched in 2015 to promote responsible gun ownership to prevent gun deaths among children, according to https://besmartforkids.org.
“Be SMART is a program that helps start the conversation around securing firearms in a home,” Ander said.
