Skokie Police Lip Sync Challenge
Challenge accepted! The Skokie Police Department completed the #LipSyncChallenge and now challenges the Lincolnwood Police Department and Niles Police Department (IL)! Let’s see what you got! Click here to view the video!
Skokie police, residents partake in 'community bonding' with National Night Out event
It’s unlikely that anyone would argue that the festival that drew hundreds to Oakton Park Tuesday, was as safe as any the village of Skokie puts on every year.
That’s because no matter where you turned, there was a Skokie police officer or sergeant or other ranking member of the force standing right there. And that was just the point of National Night Out, a nationwideinitiative organizers claim is aimed at forging a stronger relationship between police and the community.
Skokie police Chief Tony Scarpelli, who welcomed those who stopped by, said the event gives an opportunity for people to meet and talk with police in a different environment.
“It’s really about strengthening the already excellent relationship we have with the citizens of Skokie,” Scarpelli said. “They get to see us as people and kids see that we’re not to be feared.”
National Night Out was created by the National Association of Town Watch, a nonprofit organization dedicated to “the development and promotion of various crime prevention programs including neighborhood watch groups, law enforcement agencies, state and regional crime prevention associations, businesses, civic groups and individuals devoted to safer communities,” according to information NATW distributes announcing the night out.
The first National Night Out in 1984 drew 2.5 million Americans across 400 communities in 23 states, according to its nonprofit founding organization.
NATW reports that National Night Out now involves over 37.8 million people and 16,124 communities from all 50 states, U.S. Territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide.
No two communities celebrate National Night Out in exactly the same way. Not even Skokie has celebrated the same way in the handful of years it has marked National Night Out, Scarpelli said.
National Night Out was held in Oakton Park in 2015 — just like this year — but police have also tried a series of small “greets” at area parks other years. Last year, it returned to one bigger event in Gross Point Park and this year it was back to Oakton.
The turnout this year may have been the event’s biggest, some officers said.
“This is my first year and I came because I became friends with the chief,” said Skokie resident Joe Conrad. “This is a great event because it brings everyone together and that’s always such a good thing.”
Oakton Park was first selected because neighborhoods around it were a focus area of the Many Cultures, One Community — Keeping Skokie Safe public safety campaign the village launched in 2015, Scarpelli said.
Scarpelli said the event provided a good opportunity to meet residents who at the time had some concerns about crime in the area. Many issues were resolved through the campaign, he said.
“Coming back here says we haven’t forgotten people in these neighborhoods,” Scarpelli said. “We pay significant attention to all areas and that shouldn’t have been the last time we visited this one. I think it’s important that you revisit areas you’ve had a focus on to make sure problems don’t recur.”
Although the night was about police and the community it serves, it was really a village-wide happening. The Skokie Park District not only provided the setting but employees grilled hot dogs and served other food. The Skokie Fire Department set up games and events and the village of Skokie was well represented, too.
Resident Christina Warnock said this event reflects the support police provide and sends an important message to children.
“It helps show that kids are able to come to the police comfortably and vice versa,” she said. “It shows children that police are friendly and approachable.”
And that’s just the message police wanted to send, Scarpelli said.
“We’re your neighbors, we’re your friends, we’re your relatives,” he said. “We are representative of your community.”
Twitter @SKReview_Mike
Celebrate National Night Out in Skokie on August 1!
The Skokie Police Department’s Crime Prevention/Community Relations Unit hosts
the 6th Annual National Night Out Campaign on Tuesday, August 1 from 6 to 9 p.m.,
at Oakton Park, 4701 Oakton Street.
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes policecommunity
partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods
a safer, better place to live.
Come out, meet your neighbors and talk to Skokie Police officers and Village Staff
members about crime prevention, Neighborhood Watch, the new Many Cultures,
One Community – Keeping Skokie Safe campaign and other happenings in the
community.
The National Night Out campaign complements the Skokie Police Department’s
“COPS” Community Outreach Police Substation program by providing Skokie
residents with a unique opportunity to meet police officers. Tours of the COPS
vehicle will be available. Meet McGruff the Crime Dog, the Skokie Explorers, enjoy
food, play games and win prizes!
For more information and to RSVP for this free event, please visit @skokiepolice on
Facebook for details and then click “Events” or contact the Skokie Police Department C
Prevention Unit at 847/982-5922.
Cops with Kids event in Skokie helps 'deserving' kids spread holiday cheer
Middleton Elementary School of Skokie fourth-grader, who had just finished shopping for his wish list items Dec. 12 at the Walmart in Skokie.
Alex and his shopping chaperon Skokie Deputy Chief of Police Brian Baker referred to the lad’s list while scoping out aisles of the supercenter during the five hour Cops with Kids holiday gift program.
“So excited,” Alex said shyly with a smile at morning checkout.
Cops with Kids, in its second year, is supported by the Skokie Police and sponsored by the Skokie Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 68.
An estimated 25 officers participated with about 30 volunteers who bonded over shopping or wrapping gifts. Volunteers included Skokie Police Explorers Post 300.
“It’s all about the kids, you know, it’s that time of year, all about the kids,” said Skokie police Officer Terrance Alexander, who came up with the idea over lunch in 2014 with fellow Officer Steve Bush.
Principals at 12 schools in Skokie provided the Skokie Police with 76 names of “deserving” students in the first through fifth grades. The kids are then provided with gift cards to use for a holiday shopping spree.
Deserving could mean good grades, outstanding character, compassion, financial need or whatever else a school administrator might recognize to designate a student.
“This Cops with Kids program helps us connect with the children of Skokie and lets them see us in a different environment,” Bush said.
“We’re the good guys and we want them to know that they can trust us to help ensure their safety,” said Bush, who brought his 15-year-old son, Dan, to volunteer.
“I like seeing other people happy,” said Dan, adding Star Wars toys and video games this season are, “really popular.”
Alexander’s son Evan, 10, was also lending a helping hand.
“It’s a good idea,” Evan said, complimenting his father for creating the Cops with Kids program with Bush.
Each participating child could spend a minimum of $125 each.
“I love it, that’s why I volunteer to come in on my day off,” said Shari Diebold of Antioch and Walmart co-manager.
For Valentina Aburukbah, 11, a MCC Academy of Skokie/Morton Grove fifth-grader and her sister Lena Aburukbah, 9, a fourth-grader at MCC, make-up plus arts and crafts items were at the top of the list.
“I’m very excited!” Lena said.
Both girls shopped with chaperon Skokie Chief of Police Anthony Scarpelli.
“It’s a wonderful experience for the children,” Scarpelli said. “It builds relationships with youth in the community and it’s very nice we’re able to do this.”