CHICAGO (WLS) — A National Night Out to help improve the relationship between police officers and the communities they serve is happening in Chicago, the suburbs and communities across the country on Tuesday.

Festivities got underway at Taylor Park with music, food and multiple community organizations represented alongside the members of the Chicago Police Department’s 2nd District.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

Everyone there enjoyed the summer weather on Tuesday’s National Night Out.

CPD Supt. Larry Snelling stopped by to connect with neighbors and community leaders.

This event is part of a larger nationwide effort to build and foster the relationships between the police department and the community it serves, understanding that a strong community partnership is vital to a maintaining a strong police department.

Snelling says in order to build that trust, you need to connect with the community.

“Just connecting the police with the community, it’s the best thing for everybody. If we’re working together, we’re teaming up together, we get to the bottom of the problems that we see in the city of Chicago. We’re getting there and it’s events like this that help us get closer,” Snelling said.

This is CPD biggest community event, but it’s not its only community engagement event. Each district holds monthly, if not weekly community meetings so that the bonds built here have a way to continue to grow.

The National Night Out celebrates more than 40 years and encompasses more than 17,000 communities across the U.S.

Tuesday’s South Side gathering is one of many going across the city and suburbs and all throughout the country.

Lions Club volunteers got ready to feed some 2,000 guests with hot dogs and ice cream in west suburban Itasca.

But free food is just a bonus. National Night Out is a community-wide event there, involving numerous organizations, like the school and the library, and lots of activities, including the water park, which is free for Tuesday evening.

“National Night Out was always to get the community together, and we think this helps bring all the community together,” said Itasca Village President Jeff Pruyn.

Itasca’s gathering is one of the biggest National Night Out events in Chicago’s suburbs. A year ago, Itasca drew a huge crowd to take advantage of the activities and meet community leaders, including police officers, who they rarely see in a relaxed setting like this. And that is the idea.

“We want them to know we’re here with them. We’re here for them. We’re side-by-side with them,” said Itasca Police Sgt. Jim Duda.

In Hoffman Estates, the police department is hosting the community in their parking lot.

The event features demonstrations of some of their technology, including drones that help them patrol large crowds and virtual reality headsets that put them in different crime-fighting scenarios. Also, Oakley the 2-year-old Golden retriever comfort dog was a big hit.

“It’s a great opportunity for the community not only to get to know our officers but also get to know some of the equipment we have and how we do what we do,” said Hoffman Estates Police Chief Kasia Cawley.

Law enforcement leaders say these events help people become more familiar and comfortable with police officers in the community. And as they build up trust, neighbors are more likely to call police when they see crime.

“The core of it is really to celebrate our relationship with the community and continue to work on the relationship,” said Elgin Police Chief Ana Lalley.

Events happening Tuesday:

Chicago – Navy Pier
When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Navy Pier

Chicago – Englewood
When: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Ogden Park, 6500 S Racine

Chicago – Beverly Park
When: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: 2460 W. 102nd Street

Romeoville
When: 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: Romeoville Police Dept. at 1050 W Romeo Rd.

West Chicago
When: 630 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Where: The Shell at Reed-Keppler Park

Palos Park
The village will host multiple events for the community.
-Public Safety Forum: At 12:30 p.m. at the Cog Hill Country Club.
-Scam Awareness: At 2 p.m. at 8999 w. 123rd.
-Touch-A-Truck: From 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. on The Village Green.

Aurora
Twenty-seven events are planned throughout Aurora. To see the full list of events, click here.

Gary, Indiana
When: 5 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Where: RailCats Stadium

Crown Point, Indiana
When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Crown Point Sports Complex