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Berwyn, IL —
Hundreds of people, dozens of city officials and a bevy of state, local, and federal public safety agencies turned out to partake in Berwyn's national night out tonight.
The event featured a live burn fire sprinkler demonstration from the Berwyn Fire Department, a dunk tank from the Berwyn Park District, a cover band and scores of informational booths from public and private organizations aimed at bettering Berwyn.
The primary focus of tonight's event was to allow the citizens to see how their police and fire departments keep them safe, said Mayor Robert Lovero.
“I think it puts a face to the fire department and the police department,” Lovero said. “Instead of seeing them as people writing tickets and putting out fires, they're seeing them as a people that cares about what's going on in the community.”
Berwyn Police Chief Jim Ritz said that he hoped seeing tonight's large display of police equipment and personnel would help citizens feel safe in Berwyn.
“I think it means a lot to be out here,” Ritz said. “It shows everybody working together towards a common mission of reducing crime and the gang and drug activity that comes along with that crime.”
Last year's National Night Out was attended by over 7,000 people, ranking first in Illinois in it's population category and tenth nationally. Lovero said he did not expect this year's event to be quite as large as last year's because of budget cuts to other area agencies.
Despite the apparent dip in attendance, Ritz felt the event was still a success.
“I think this is a phenomenal event,” Ritz said. “The city has a lot to be proud of.”
Hundreds of people, dozens of city officials and a bevy of state, local, and federal public safety agencies turned out to partake in Berwyn's national night out tonight.
The event featured a live burn fire sprinkler demonstration from the Berwyn Fire Department, a dunk tank from the Berwyn Park District, a cover band and scores of informational booths from public and private organizations aimed at bettering Berwyn.
The primary focus of tonight's event was to allow the citizens to see how their police and fire departments keep them safe, said Mayor Robert Lovero.
“I think it puts a face to the fire department and the police department,” Lovero said. “Instead of seeing them as people writing tickets and putting out fires, they're seeing them as a people that cares about what's going on in the community.”
Berwyn Police Chief Jim Ritz said that he hoped seeing tonight's large display of police equipment and personnel would help citizens feel safe in Berwyn.
“I think it means a lot to be out here,” Ritz said. “It shows everybody working together towards a common mission of reducing crime and the gang and drug activity that comes along with that crime.”
Last year's National Night Out was attended by over 7,000 people, ranking first in Illinois in it's population category and tenth nationally. Lovero said he did not expect this year's event to be quite as large as last year's because of budget cuts to other area agencies.
Despite the apparent dip in attendance, Ritz felt the event was still a success.
“I think this is a phenomenal event,” Ritz said. “The city has a lot to be proud of.”
