Area law enforcement, fire departments and emergency management services (EMS) staff throughout Monroe County will continue a 22-year tradition when the 2025 edition of National Night Out returns to Tomah Winnebago Park, 1020 Brandon St. adjacent to Lake Tomah Aug. 5.
Tomah Police Chief Eric Pedersen says the event continues to be well received by the public. “It allows us to showcase our law enforcement assets and resources, but more importantly, brings together all the public safety assets like police, fire, EMS, that typically attend and the medical and health professionals in the area,” said Pedersen.
There is no charge to attend the annual safety and wellness event from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. The event was moved years ago to Tomah Recreation Park due to construction in Winnebago Park. “There’s a lot more shade there and I think it’s a beautiful setting adjacent to Lake Tomah,” said Tomah Health community health educator Whitney Sanjari who helps coordinate the event.
Children who are 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.
New this year, Tomah Health Women’s Health staff will provide complimentary car seat safety checks in the Tomah High School parking lot. “A proper fitting car seat and having your child in the right size as well as facing the right direction is really important when it comes to accident safety,” said Sanjari. “We know that a proper fitting car seat will keep decrease the risk of injury to our children.”
The always educational Mock Crash will also return to NNO with a presentation in Winnebago Park at 6:30 p.m.
Pedersen said NNO also helps his officers, along with other agencies build relationships, which leads to safer communities. “On average we have one officer per 3,000 citizens, so we only have so many eyes in the community. We can’t do it ourselves and we rely on them heavily. in fact, we get a lot of tips, a lot of information and solve a lot of issues with their direct involvement.”
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.
“More than 20 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 Tomah High School parking lot along Butts Avenue and walk to Winnebago Park.
Food and refreshment sales will be available, and there will be children’s activities, including a bounce house provided by Tomah Health.
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. 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.’
“This event is really about education and safety as well as community, camaraderie and interacting with the people that respond to first aid situations or emergency situations. It’s popular because there’s lots of fun and engaging activities where kids can learn and there are topics that are really important for the safety of families,” added Sanjari.