On Tuesday, August 1 the Neighborhood Services Department (NSD) partnered with the Champaign Park District to host the city-wide 2017 National Night Out celebration at Beardsley Park. Nearly 200 Champaign residents came out to enjoy a night out against crime. The Park District provided a bounce house and DJ while staff from NSD, Police, and Fire greeted attendees with giveaway items and information on safety and crime prevention. Leaders of the Beardsley Park Neighborhood Association grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, gave away school supplies and clothes, and provided gift cards as prizes for games. The Eastern Illinois Food Bank also hosted a pop-up food bank, providing bags of food to attendees. Those unable to attend the city-wide celebration were encouraged to help “light up the night” by turning on their porch lights. Leaders of the United Garden Hills Neighborhood Association and the 500-800 West Washington Street Neighborhood Watch hosted neighborhood based National Night Out celebrations.