Area law enforcement, fire departments and emergency management services (EMS) staff throughout Monroe County will continue a 21- year tradition when the 2024 edition of National Night Out takes place Aug. 6 at Recreation Park, 1625 Butts Ave., Tomah.
Tomah Police Chief Scott Holum says the event continues to be well received by the public. “I think it’s popular because it’s an event that brings the community together,” Holum added. “It’s good for people to come there and see emergency personnel and maybe a different side of than we would normally see.”
Marking its 21st year, the annual safety and wellness event will be held Aug. 6 from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. at Recreation Park in Tomah. There is no charge to attend the event.Holum said NNO also helps his officers, along with other agencies build relationships, which leads to safer communities. “Tomah is a safe community. There is crime in every community and Tomah is no different. We are in a unique spot where we have some major roadways that come through here so that brings in some crime with it, but Tomah is a safe community,” said Holum. He said residents also play an important role in keeping the area safe. “A lot of our calls that we get dispatched to are from citizens seeing things. We definitely need the eyes of the community to help us do our job.”
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Event organizers are asking people who attend the event to join this year’s theme by dressing as their favorite superhero. “Even though they may not consider themselves heroes; police officers, firefighters, EMT’s, first responders, and hospital staff are heroes in the jobs they do every day and that’s why we want to put them in the spotlight,” said Tomah Health marketing & public relations director Eric Prise. He said the event has been a great way to teach residents many topics. “More than 30 not for profit organizations will have various exhibits, informational booths and displays featuring nutrition, school bus safety, weather storm spotting, parenting tips, water safety, home electricity safety, seat belt use, boating safety, CPR and other subjects in a fun, interactive way,” he added.
Officials ask residents to park in the gravel lot along Butts Avenue and enter Recreation Park using the Monroe County Fair main entrance.
Children three to 15 years old can learn safety lessons for riding a bicycle during the Tomah Police Department’s Bike Safety Expo from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The expo will include safety tips and on-site bicycle licensing. Parents must be present, and children are reminded to have a bike and helmet. Prizes will be awarded after bicycle course stations close at 5:45 p.m. All stations must be completed to qualify for the drawings. Children must be present to win prizes. The first 300 children will receive a complimentary backpack with school supplies provided by Walmart of Tomah.
Monroe County’s Combined Tactical Unit will present a demonstration at 7 p.m. Food and refreshment sales will be available, and there will be children’s activities, including a bounce house provided by Tomah Health.
“For the community I hope it’s fun for them,” added Holum. “We try and make it as friendly as we can for everybody. That’s the whole purpose.”
Introduced in 1984 by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), National Night Out is a nonprofit, crime prevention organization that works in cooperation with thousands of crime watch groups and law enforcement agencies throughout the country. Locally, officials know it helps build relationships that create safe communities. Over the past years, the Monroe County NNO has been recognized by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) for outstanding participation in ‘America’s Night Out Against Crime.’