The Park Forest Police Department is participating in two events this week, focusing on bringing the community closer together.
On Tuesday night, the P.F.P.D. is hosting "National Night Out." According to its website, National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and camaraderie to make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live.
Over the last few weeks, Park Forest Police Chief Brian Rzyski has called on residents to hold block parties in the community to celebrate National Night Out. Rzyski says that officers stopping by block parties to engage with residents is another excellent opportunity for the department to meet the community.
Rzyski said the Park Forest Police Department's Unity Day Celebration dovetails with National Night Out and also aims to further build relationships between police and residents.
"Unity is a great event because we really have a little bit of everything for everyone," Rzyski said. "We'll have food, bounce houses, live music, and more."
Rzyski said that over 500 meals will be provided at the event, and kids will be able to explore police vehicles and multiple bouncy houses.
Unity Day takes place this Wednesday, beginning at 5 p.m., at the corner on Main Street and Cunningham Drive, and runs simultaneously with Park Forest's summer outdoor concert series Main Street Nights. Performers from Park Forest kick-off the evening's performances at 6:30, with Chicago-born vocalist Fredi Taylor taking the stage at 7:30 p.m.
Unity Day caps off the Main Street Night series for the season.