Saukville to host fifth annual observance on Aug. 2 at Grady Park
The Village of Saukville will again play host to a blitz of law-enforcement officers and government agency representatives from throughout Ozaukee County during the fifth annual National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 2.
The event will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. at Grady Park.
Part of a nationwide campaign, NNO organizers explain that the program is designed to increase public awareness of crime-prevention efforts in their community.
More importantly, at least for Saukville Police Officer Emily Neese, the focus of the annual event is to make people aware of the many ways that help is available in
the county.
Neese has been organizing the countywide event since it started in 2006. During the initial event, the emphasis of the evening was heavily weighted toward law
enforcement, but the focus has broadened.
“For the first time this year, we are having representatives from the county’s Human Services Department taking part. They are the people responsible for dealing
with questions about child custody and family matters like that,” she said.
“Our hope is to let people know what kind of help is out there and what their options are.”
Similarly, Neese said a representative from the county Health Department will also be participating, talking about the state’s new child car-seat law.
She said that is an issue that is near to her heart, since she is expecting her second child this summer.
“Actually, it is a big issue with most of our department, because we have so many young officers. Every family of our second-shift is in the process of having a baby,”
Neese said.
Local law enforcment will be well represented, with police officers from Saukville, Port Washington, Grafton, Cedarburg and Mequon as well as representatives from
the Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Corrections and Ozaukee County HazMat who will be on hand for demonstrations or to answer questions.
In addition to a fleet of vehicles from area police and fire departments, a Flight for Life helicopter is scheduled to land at the park at 8 p.m. That landing is subject to
the aircraft not being needed to respond to an emergency.
“Helicopter landings have become very popular for National Night Outs. There is a lot of competition for their appearances, but we got our request in really early,”
Neese said.
The Ozaukee County Sheriff’s Department’s newly formed honor guard will lead the opening ceremonies, planned for 6 p.m.
Another anticipated highlight will be the National Guard obstacle course, which proved to be a big hit when it was featured at NNO two years ago.
Neese said a climbing wall may also be offered, along with an array of children’s games and challenges.
Families are encouraged to bring non-perishable food or health-care items, to earn tickets for a prize drawing to be held at 8:30 p.m. Each person can receive up to
four raffle tickets.
Collected items will be donated to the Advocates Women’s Shelter, which helps families victimized by domestic abuse.
NNO will continue its mission to be family friendly, offering free hot dogs, chips, popcorn, drinks and ice cream.
Past gatherings have been blessed with balmy summer weather, and Neese is hoping that trend continues.
“As long as it doesn’t rain, we’ll be fine. I don’t think it can possibly get warmer than we’ve had in the past,” she said.
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