City of Crown Point National Night Out 2026

Players took the field divided as cheering from the bleachers could be heard from the proud community that stood united in support and celebration.

The city of Crown Point hosted its annual National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4, at the Crown Point Sportsplex. Families of first responders, supporters of the cause, and everyday slow-pitch softball fans filled the stands alongside community members to watch the Crown Point Fire Department and Police Department face off on the field.

This year’s game carried extra bragging rights for the winning department, as every at-bat, hit, and run batted in was a chance to settle a 2-2 series record following last year’s Fire Department win.

Big swings and near misses had the crowd roaring into the final innings. Morale in the Police Department’s dugout remained high despite a lopsided 10-0 deficit late in the game. Still, building safer communities is a cause worth losing for.

Behind the fence was Crown Point Mayor Pete Land, who offered comical remarks from the announcer’s box. Land was not shy about handing the microphone to kids throughout the game and mingling with community members during changeovers. He spoke to the importance of the National Night Out event for both community members and first responders.

“The National Night Out is a great community event — it brings our police officers together, our firefighters together, local vendors, our EMA assistance, park staff, all together for one event,” Land said. “This event is not just for adults, it’s for kids, who get to watch a nice competitive softball game and see the firefighters and police officers up close and personal, outside the uniforms.”

National Night Out is a nationwide community event that promotes positive relationship-building with local law enforcement agencies and first responders. It gives emergency service providers a chance to connect with the community while celebrating, creating, and enjoying a safe and inclusive environment for everyone who attends.

Land said he’s grateful for the community’s continued support as the event grows year after year.

Grill masters from the Crown Point Emergency Management team sweated it out for attendees, while live music from Tom Lounges filled the summer air at the Sportsplex. Community booths were plentiful; free Kona Ice cups were available to all attendees, the Crown Point Community Library set up a game where children fished for lucky yellow ducks, and attendees kept the buzz alive with free Starbucks coffee. Oversized cotton candy puffs were a hit with those who bought them, and the smell of popcorn carried all the way to the parking lot.

Instructional booths spreading knowledge and information made the space feel accessible and inviting to all. Children gathered around off-duty firefighters for a first crash course in CPR and safety training. A mobile sensory hub was available for anyone who needed a break from the action, while volunteers advocating for autism awareness passed out stickers and shared information about upcoming events and fundraising walks.

As the Fire Department and Police Department wrapped up their game on Field 2, the Porter County Sheriff’s Department made quite the entrance on Field 3, landing a helicopter for attendees to see up close. Meanwhile, the children’s foam party was just kicking off on Field 1.

Police Chief Ryan Patrick had high hopes heading into the game’s opening remarks, predicting a win for his department. “I’m going with my heart — the fire department really dominated last year, but I think it’s the police department this year,” he said. Regardless of the outcome, he stayed true to the event’s message: win or lose, he said he’s proud of what his department has accomplished for the community.

Patrick said he’s grateful for events like National Night Out because they give his department a chance to reconnect with the community.

“Anybody that lives here knows that we’re approachable and we’re here to help with anything you need,” Patrick said.

He stressed the importance of having a tight-knit community like Crown Point and thanked the department’s sponsors for their continued support. For more information on how to get involved in next year’s event or to become a National Night Out sponsor, visit crownpoint.info/nno2026.

As the foam party wound down on Field 1, the night’s festivities closed out with a light display from the Chicago Drone Light Show.

The city of Crown Point proudly holds up in the rankings as one of the safest communities in Indiana, a distinction owed in large part to its police force, fire department, emergency responders, and the tight-knit community members in attendance of Tuesday’s event, all of whom continue working to protect that ranking for years to come.