By: Dillon Valencia
ROCKFORD, Ill. — Rockford’s Annual National Night Out was a vibrant
celebration of community and unity as residents gathered in Downtown
Rockford for an evening of connection and camaraderie with law
enforcement, first responders and organizations.
The event kicked off with the National Anthem, setting a tone of
collective pride and engagement.
"When you look around... this is Rockford," said Major Monty Wandling from
The Salvation Army of Winnebago County.
"We have all kinds of nationalities , and what I love is everybody's
smiling, everybody's happy, everybody's talking to everybody else. There
are no walls or division here."
Attendees filled the area, enjoying activities and interacting with local
organizations dedicated to serving the public.
In a time marked by social and political divisions, National Night Out
offered a unique opportunity for community members to build relationships
with those who keep them safe.
Kimberly Keys, a long-time participant whose sister is a police officer,
shared what this event means to her “A lot of people are scared to call
the police and may have negative perceptions due to others' experiences,"
said Keys.
"But the police are not the bad guys."
The event featured free food, games, and giveaways.
"This is a great feeling. I am from Rockford. I grew up here, and it's a
great opportunity to engage with the community and also to give back and
create and foster bonds that we already have," said Sergeant Courtney
Tillmon - Listhrop, from the Rockford Police Department.
National Night Out isn't only celebrated locally, but across the U.S..
With thousands of communities gathering on the first Tuesday in August.
The national recognition was introduced in August of 1984. It was
originally a time for community solidarity, however, grew to be something
bigger, with festivals and cook outs bringing the community and police
together.
