Don't Forget: National Night Out Tuesday

Need a little Tuesday evening fun? Oak Forest has you covered.

Stop by the gazebo next to City Hall for the city's local version of the national event National Night Out—a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). The event will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 

This year's will feature: 

• Guest speaker, Commander Leo Schmitz of the Chicago Police Department. Commander Schmitz heads up the Gang Unit and is a personal friend of Crime Prevention Committee Head Dennis Mitzner. Commander Schmitz has been asked to tell our residents:

1. What type of activity to look for if gangs are trying to enter a community and 
2. What parents should look for in behavorial changes of their children if they are being recruited into a gang. The one word that sums this all up is awareness, according to the event's Facebook page. "If we don't know what to look for, how can we prevent it from happening."

The Oak Forest Police K9 Unit will also have a live demonstration, with additional give-aways and goodies for those who attend. Mitzner will also talk about , a new tracking system for people with cognitive disabilities. A representative from the State's Attorney's office will also speak on the department and its processes.

"We're not trying to scare anybody," Mitzner said.

Mitzner also hopes that the event will leave an opportunity for folks to mingle with local police officers.

"Everybody has questions for police officers," Mitzner said. "This is the perfect opportunity for them to ask those questions."

According to the national event's website, National Night Out is designed to: 

• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime programs;
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships; and
• Send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

Stay tuned for more on tomorrow's event, tomorrow here on Patch.