MACHESNEY PARK, Ill. (WTVO) — Communities across the Stateline gathered Tuesday for National Night Out, an annual event designed to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and local residents.
The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office and the Loves Park Police Department partnered at the Machesney Park Town Center for the festivities. Similar events took place across the region to foster positive interactions between first responders and the public.
Lieutenant Lucas Wagner with the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office said the event allows the community to see officers in a different environment. “They get to see us in a positive light,” Wagner said. “They get to see that we are humans, that we are people just like them. It’s also good for the cops and the first responders because we see the worst a lot. So, this is a chance for us to see the good in people.”…