There were squad cars, ladder trucks, school buses and the cab of a cherry picker truck to climb into and explore.
But the thing that really drew the kids Tuesday night to the National Night Out party in Carpentersville’s Carpenter Park was the LifeNet McHenry helicopter and a chance to meet pilot Dan Bloomgarden, who passed out souvenir plastic cups and helicopter temporary tattoos.
“This is going fantastic,” said police Officer Kara Burroughs, who handles community engagement for the Carpentersville Police Department.
Burroughs helped organize the event, which was held by the Carpentersville, East Dundee, West Dundee and Sleepy Hollow police departments, the Dundee Township Park District and the Carpentersville fire and public works departments.
“It was great to see so many officers, firefighters and others volunteer their time to be here. It’s truly a blessing,” she said.
Burroughs estimated anywhere from 750 to 1,000 people attended the event, which also included martial arts and drone demonstrations, inflatables, food, music, local merchant and nonprofit booths, and free Icees and other giveaways.
The annual gathering is a way for residents to interact with each other, police officers and other city representatives and to draw attention to the community’s role in crime prevention. Similar events were held all over Illinois and the country.
Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
