Meet O’Fallon Police for National Night Out Tuesday

and residents come together Tuesday for National Night Out.

The annual event has run nationally for 28-years to bring neighbors and police together to promote public safety and crime prevention.

While traditionally the event is held the first Tuesday of August, this year Ann Godier, of the Community Service Office, said O’Fallon switched to October due to the summer’s excessive heat.

All neighborhoods, neighborhood watch groups, neighborhood associations and community organizations in O'Fallon were invited to host and participate in National Night Out events from 6-9 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4.

“In O’Fallon, we have our share of crime like anyone else, and on National Night Out, we turn the lights out, get with our neighbors, and send a message that we are out there partnering with the police and neighborhoods and will not tolerate crime,” Godier said.

She added Night Out events include parades, coloring contests, a flashlight walk, cookouts, ice cream socials or anything the people of the neighborhood would like to do.

This year, the subdivisions of Patriots Landing, Pheasant Point and Bridge Top are participating.

Godier said community service commissioned officers, motorcycle officers and those from the K-9 unit are assigned to visit the neighborhoods Tuesday. Police will pass out goodie bags with safety materials.

Fire fighters from the will also make their way through the neighborhoods. 

, a corporate sponsor of National Night Out, donated two bikes and officers will take registration forms for children in attendance. The winners will be announced at a future City Council meeting.

Sgt. Robert Kendall said National Night Out is a unique opportunity to bring the community together and allows residents to put a face and name with a uniform.

“People feel safe in O’Fallon and don’t feel the need to interact with police, but we like to keep that partnership,” he added. “I’d like to know who’s patrolling my neighborhood. It’s just another chance for us to have a positive contact and any time we have that take advantage of that.”

Editor's Note: If you're participating in O'Fallon's National Night Out on Tuesday, send us photos at jordan.lanham@patch.com and we'll post them tomorrow morning! Or you can click upload photos and add pictures directly to this story.