BELLEVUE (NBC 26) — When we think law enforcement, 'fun’ might not be the first word that comes to mind. Officers around the country have been trying to change that through National Night Out over the years.
“We’re not seeing them in a call at their time of need," said Trevor Bilgo, Brown County Sheriff’s Office. "Everybody’s able to relax a little bit.”
The annual tradition of neighbors coming out to chat with officers is nearly 40 years in the making.
“Having kids a few years down the line saying, 'Hey, I remember seeing you at this event,'" said Bilgo. "That tells us it’s a success.“
On the first Tuesday of August, roughly 16,000 communities all over the country will bring out police cars, fire trucks, face painting and bounce houses so neighbors can chat with law enforcement and kids can have some fun.
“Instead of us pulling you over and getting us to meet you that way, this is such a great way to understand that we’re human and we want to be part of our community," said Ben Bastian, Public Information Officer with Brillion Police.
When Brillion first held NNO, maybe only around 50 people came, he said. This year, the city is expecting hundreds of people; they will even have food trucks and fireworks to for their event on Thursday night.
“People think cops are these superheroes, we have all these capabilities that other people don’t have," said Bastian. "And at the end of the day, we’re just like everybody else.“
Here is a list of communities in Northeast Wisconsin hosting events:
- Allouez
- Tuesday, August 3, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Willow Creek Park
- Appleton
- Tuesday, August 3, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Jones Park
- Brillion
- Thursday, August 5, from 5:00 p.m. to dusk at Peters Park
- De Pere
- Tuesday, Aug. 3, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at street, driveway and park parties
- If you are having a get-together you are asked to reach out to Officer Bradley so he can get you on the list so the police and fire departments can stop by. Reach out to jbradley@mail.de-pere.org or 920-339-4080 ext #1217
- Fond Du Lac
- Tuesday, August 3, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Fond du Lac Fairgrounds
- Grand Chute
- Tuesday, August 3, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Lions Park
- Green Bay
- Tuesday, August 3, from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. at street, driveway and park parties
- The Green Bay Police Department will be making rounds, so they ask locals to contact them through a private message in their event or contact Melanie Skalmoski at Melanie.Skalmoski@greenbaywi.gov or 920-448-3260 to schedule a visit
- Hortonville
- Tuesday, August 3, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Commercial Club Park
- Howard
- Tuesday, August 3, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Village of Howard hall
- Little Chute
- Tuesday, August 3, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Legion Park
- Manitowoc
- Tuesday, August 3, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Neighborhood Watch Groups and local events
- The Manitowoc Police Department, TRIAD members, Crime Prevention Committee and the Citizens’ Academy Alumni Association will be visiting Neighborhood Watch groups and planned get-togethers. Reach out to Sergeant Paul Krock, Crime Prevention, at 920-686-6576 or pkrock@manitowoc.org
- Marinette
- Tuesday, August 3, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Community REC Center
- New London
- Tuesday, August 3, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 215 N Shawano St.
- Oconto
- Tuesday, August 3, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at City of Oconto
- Call 834-7700 or email opdclerk@cityofoconto.com to participate
- Omro
- Tuesday, August 3, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Scott Park
- Shawano
- Tuesday, August 3, 5:00 p.m. at Memorial Park
- Sheboygan
- Tuesday, August 3, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Roosevelt Park
- Suamico
- Tuesday, August 3 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Mount Olive Church
- Two Rivers
- Tuesday, August 3, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Walsh Field
- Winneconne
- Tuesday, August 3, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran
