OGLE COUNTY –– When there is an emergency the police are first on the scene and want to be a source of safety.
To help bridge the gap between police and the community police departments throughout the nation will meet with their neighbors as part of National Night Out. The Ogle County Sheriff’s Office is hoping to get to know local residents and create a positive environment for the community.
National Night Out will be held on Tuesday Aug. 1 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Ogle County Court House square. National Night Out is a community building event to promote police-community relationships.
Ogle County 9-1-1 Coordinator Sandy Beitel explained, “This is to introduce and promote community involvement and positive influences for our local public safety.”
The free event will include K-9 demonstrations, deputy meet and greets, CPR and First Aid booth, 9-1-1 booth, face painting, snacks and police vehicles. Young and old will have the opportunity to meet the men and women who serve to protect the county day in and day out and see inside the police cars.
“With today’s environment and attitudes towards law enforcement we want adults and children realize that law enforcement are good people,” stated Beitel.
“I believe it is important to be involved in the community. Many children are afraid of law enforcement because we routinely meet them in the worst of situations.  This engagement allows children to understand deputies are their friends and are always willing to help them,” Sheriff Brian Vanvickle added.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. Furthermore, it provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
Hero award
At 6 p.m. a special award will be handed out on behalf of Ogle County 9-1-1 board. A four-year-old girl will be receiving a 9-1-1 Hero award.  The young girl called 9-1-1 when her mother was unconscious and will be honored for her heroic actions.
Rochelle
The Rochelle Police Department will also host National Night Out on Aug. 1 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the police department, 416 N. Sixth St.
The free community event will feature music, food and family fun. Burn N Bush will provide entertainment and Ralfie’s BBQ will provide dinner.
Rochelle Police Department will show a K-9 demonstration and a Taser demonstration. Police bikes and squad cars will be on display as well as a gun display. Police officers will also provide 9-1-1 education, bike registration and car seat safety checks.  
Flagg Rochelle Public Library will also have a booth at the community event.
History
This is the first year Ogle County Sheriff’s Office will participate in the annual event. National Night Out has been hosted across the national by the National Association of Town Watch for more than 30 years.
Interactive displays during Ogle County’s night out will include a 9-1-1 simulator and Sheriff’s Office equipment.  Hot dogs and popcorn will be free during the event and Cliffs Donuts will be selling homemade donuts.
National Association of Town Watch introduced National Night Out in August of 1984 through an already established network of law enforcement agencies, neighborhood watch groups, civic groups, state and regional crime prevention associations and volunteers across the nation. The first annual National Night Out involved 2.5 million neighbors across 400 communities in 23 states. However, the event soon grew to a celebration beyond just front porch vigils.
Neighborhoods across the nation began to host block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits and much, much more. Today, 38 million neighbors in 16,000 communities across the nation take part in National Night Out.