WC Wisconsin News

Area law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency management services in Monroe County are set to continue a 22-year tradition with the return of National Night Out (NNO) at Tomah Winnebago Park on August 5. The event will be held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., offering free entry for attendees.

Tomah Police Chief Eric Pedersen highlighted the event's importance, stating, “It allows us to showcase our law enforcement assets and resources, but more importantly, brings together all the public safety assets like police, fire, EMS, that typically attend and the medical and health professionals in the area.”

The event includes activities such as the Tomah Police Department’s Bike Safety Expo for children aged three to fifteen. It features safety tips and on-site bicycle licensing from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., with prizes awarded after completing course stations.

New this year is a complimentary car seat safety check provided by Tomah Health Women’s Health staff in the Tomah High School parking lot. Whitney Sanjari emphasized its significance: “A proper fitting car seat and having your child in the right size as well as facing the right direction is really important when it comes to accident safety.”

The Mock Crash presentation will take place at Winnebago Park at 6:30 p.m., providing educational insights into crash scenarios.

Pedersen noted that NNO fosters community relationships: “On average we have one officer per 3,000 citizens...we get a lot of tips, a lot of information and solve a lot of issues with their direct involvement.”

This year's theme encourages attendees to dress as their favorite superhero. Eric Prise remarked on spotlighting everyday heroes: “Even though they may not consider themselves heroes; police officers, firefighters, EMTs, first responders, and hospital staff are heroes in the jobs they do every day.”

More than twenty nonprofit organizations will present exhibits covering various safety topics interactively. Attendees are advised to park at Tomah High School along Butts Avenue.

Food sales and children's activities will be available during the event. National Night Out was introduced by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) in 1984 as part of crime prevention efforts across communities nationwide.

“This event is really about education and safety as well as community,” added Sanjari.