Dozens of events were held in Chicago and the suburbs Tuesday for National Night Out 2025.

National Night Out gives the community a chance the know their first responders, and officers can meet the neighborhoods they're sworn to protect and serve.

In Merrionette Park, hundreds gathered outside the village's police station, all with a purpose.

"I think it's important for people to see that, you know, police aren't bad people," said Erica Labine, "that they're great, and they help us out when we need, that they're here at any time."

Labine brought her two sons, including 3-year-old Kaled. They got front-row seats with the police K-9.

"He loves that stuff," Labine said. "There's a lot of games for them to play."

National Night Out started back in 1984 as a way to build community policing. A whole 41 years later, it is working.

The small village of Merrionette Park joined the National Night Out movement five years ago, and there is no sign of slowing down.

"We're a small community. It was quiet back then. There wasn't a lot of interaction — and we wanted that interaction," said Merrionette Park Mayor Jose Nevarez. "We wanted people to know who their police officers were."

For Jabrina Bucknor, she said it is imperative that her three sons understand that officers are humans too.

"I want to make sure they understand their purpose, understand there here to protect us," said Bucknor, "and to get them to know this is not something to fear, and for police as well to not fear them."

The night in Merrionette Park was filled with fellowship, fun, and feisty tunes. A musician played the blues all by himself — drums, guitar, harmonica, and vocals.

"I love this area. I love playing music for nice happy people," said musician MG Bailey, "and guess what — this is full of nice happy people."

As they celebrated community, Merrionette Park also gave away prizes.

The police department is also raising money for the Special Olympics, as folks made their bids for the coveted prizes — including a Nintendo DS and an Xbox.

Merrionette Park police Chief Matt Ramirez said the National Night Out event in the community keeps growing every year. Judging by the smiles, he said it was necessary for his officers too.

"It's just an amazing event that gets us together, to talk to one another, and you know, bring things to our attention too that are important to the community," said Ramirez. "It's all about trust building. That's what we're all about here."

Other National Night Out events were held all around Chicago and the suburbs.

At Navy Pier, Chicago police officers from the Central (1st), Near West (12th), and Near North (18th) districts gathered Tuesday evening with games, free food, and entertainment.

On the city's South Side, officers with the Morgan Park District came to Beverly Park for an event with food, games, raffles, and other activities. The community also got to meet K-9 officers, explore fire and police vehicles and participate in a U.S. Marine Corps pull-up challenge.

In McKinley Park, the CPD and other local law enforcement joined the community at McKinley Park Field House. There was games, food, networking, and fun for the community.

The City of Aurora hosted 27 different events for National Night Out across all 10 of its Wards.

The City of West Chicago held its National Night Out event at the Shell at Reed-Keppler Park with family-friendly activities, live music and interactive displays of police equipment. 

There were numerous events in the suburbs too. In Romeoville, skydivers dressed as superheroes — dropping in on a celebration featuring a Black Hawk helicopter.