Orland Park Police to Host National Night Out

The Village of Orland Park will join communities across the country when it observes National Night Out onTuesday, August 5, 2014.

The Orland Park Police Department will host "Orland Park's Night Out Against Crime" from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Orland Park Village Center, 14700 South Ravinia Avenue, one block west of LaGrange Road/U.S. Route 45.

"National Night Out in Orland Park is an annual favorite," said Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin. "Families like to come up to the Village Center to meet the emergency personnel, see the equipment close up and enjoy an evening of activities," he said.

Area seniors are invited to begin the day's festivities at the free luncheon hosted by the Police Department at the Orland Park Civic Center, 14750 South Ravinia Avenue. Lunch will be served beginning at noon with a brief safety presentation. Seniors are invited to see the Police Department's newest equipment, meet officers and view the department's displays.

Reservations are required for the free "National Night Out Against Crime Lunch for Seniors" and may be made by calling 708/364-8149. Attendees are asked to leave their names, telephone numbers and the number of guests.

"August 5th will be a very safety oriented day in Orland Park," said Trustee Dan Calandriello, chair of the village's Public Safety Committee. "We invite area seniors to the free luncheon where they will hear from local law enforcement officials and everyone is invited to enjoy the evening fun at National Night Out. It's nice for the kids to meet the emergency responders in a comfortable, informal setting," he said.

Residents across the country are encouraged to turn on their porch lights as a statement against crime before joining the festivities held in their towns.

"Orland Park's National Night Out festivities heighten the awareness of our residents and businesses, helping them learn what they can do to help prevent crime," said Orland Park Police Chief Timothy McCarthy.

"The night's activities are directed, to a large extent, to the children in our community to encourage them to be alert for criminal activity and to make them more comfortable with the police in an informal, fun environment," McCarthy added.

Orland Park's activities will include meeting the officers who staff the bike patrol, traffic unit, motorcycle unit, DARE and school resources officers. The Carl Sandburg High School Color Guard will perform and attendees can see Jim Nesci's Cold Blooded Creatures and Mr. D's Magic Show.

This year's National Night Out will also include a free community document shred, provided by ProShred, an Orland Park based mobile document destruction company. Families are invited to bring 100 pounds of documents to National Night Out to have them shredded for free as part of the Orland Park Police Department's Identity Theft Prevention Program.

Additional information is available by calling the Orland Park Police Department's non-emergency number, 708-349-4111.