Weather Puts Damper on National Night Out

Dozens of people gathered for food, games and safety tips at Washington Terrace Park in Niles Tuesday night for the local observance of National Night Out Against Crime, an effort to build community bonds and strengthen crime prevention efforts in communities all over the country.

But the event was cancelled and participants told to evacuate the park at about 6:45, less than an hour into the event, which was scheduled to last until about 10 p.m.

The Niles Police Department, which organized the event with sponsorship from Target, had to send people home when the park's Thor Guard, a lightning prediction device, went off.

Earlier:

"It's the park district's policy that when the Thor Guard goes off, everyone has to leave the park," said Sgt. Robert Tornabene, the police department's public information officer. "We have to, because God forbid that anyone would get struck by lightning. Unfortunately, there's no make-up day."

That's because the first Tuesday in August has been designated as the date for the annual observance promoted by the National Association of Town Watch. This year, it was expected to be observed in more than 15,000 communities across the United States. Its goals include to increase awareness about crime prevention strategies, generate participation in anticrime programs and strengthen the spirit of partnership between communities and their police departments.

The disc jockey was just starting up and people were getting ready to play games when the siren sounded, said Joe LoVerde, executive director of the Niles Park District.

Niles Police Chief Dean Strzelecki said this is the first time the event has been cancelled due to weather in Niles, although it did rain towards the end of the event -- during the 9:30 p.m. flashlight walk -- one year.

LoVerde and Strzelecki said they expect to be back at Washington Terrace Park for National Night Out next year.