A United Front Against Crime: Shorewood's National Night Out is Tuesday

The is returning to the fundamentals of crime prevention with its annual National Night Out event slated for Tuesday.

NNO has typically called for a block party with a slew of activities aimed at connecting the community and police department and educating and urging residents to take an active role in keeping the community safe, but this year Shorewood police are scaling it back.

"That’s our back to the basics National Night Out, no magic show, burgers or dunk tank, just crime prevention and a united front against crime" said Shorewood Police Chief David Banaszynski.

In lieu of the block party, the department is opening its doors to the public at 3936 N. Murray Ave. for an open house from 4 to 6 p.m.

The department will provide information about home security, identifying suspicious activity and tips to help residents stay safe while walking and shopping in the village.

Open house participants can even have their photo taken in a jail cell, police squad or on a police bicycle.

Then from 7 to 10 p.m., police are asking all residents to flip on their porch lights to show a united front against crime.

"National Night Out is a chance for the community to unite against crime," Banaszynski said.

and the year before that because of construction on East Capitol Drive.

Over 15,000 communities across America and Canada will be participating in National Night Out over the summer months, in an effort to increase neighborhood spirit and generate community support for anti-crime programs.