• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

7 things do at National Night Out event

JANESVILLE — For years the Janesville Police Department has promoted neighborhood spirit and community partnerships with its annual National Night Out event.

This year, the department will add a few new wrinkles to the free event. Among these is the chance for kids to sit inside a police car, fire truck, ambulance and garbage truck for photos.

Those planning to attend this year's event might want to take note of these seven things to get the most out of it:

1. Food and beverages: Organizers are going whole hog by preparing more food—2,000 hot dogs and 1,500 pulled pork sandwiches—than ever. Meals will be rounded out with a bag of chips, candy and juice or water.

"We ran out of food in the first hour" last year, so we're getting enough food to feed more people, said police officer and event organizer Chad Sullivan.

2. Kids' games: Janesville Leisure Services will bring some of its games to offer some diversity. A jump house also is planned and the local chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America will bring their penny toss game.

3. Police department demonstrations: Attendees can see how Taser guns really work as Kelly Lee of the city's neighborhood services department and Kathleen Lawver, wife of police Lt. Keith Lawver, have volunteered to be stunned.

In addition, officers Glen Hageman and Shawn Mahaffey will show how their canine partners, Karo and Hardy, take down a subject, and the department's SWAT team will display and demonstrate how to use less lethal "guns" such as pepper balls and gas.

4. Nonprofit booths: Organizations such as YWCA Rock County, Boys & Girls Club of Janesville, YMCA and the Civil Air Patrol will share information about their programs. In addition, the Elks Club will bring its drug awareness trailer to help people learn about the affects of drugs both prescription and illegal.

5. Fingerprinting: CrimeStoppers will offer free child fingerprinting kits.

6. Free TV giveaway: Target has donated a 32-inch, flat-screen LCD HD TV to be given away. There is no cost to enter the drawing.

7. 5K Fun Run Against Crime: The event benefits the Janesville Area CrimeStoppers program. Registration starts at 5 p.m. with the run starting at 7 p.m.

To register in advance, visit stopjanesvillecrime.com. Walk-up registrations also will be taken the day of the event.