How much does texting while driving affect your response time?
Find out during the city's 12th annual National Night Out on Aug. 4.
Susan Weiss, public education specialist with the City of Brookfield Fire Department, said a new feature at this year's event will be a video simulation that allows people to test their response times if they text while driving. Texting while driving will become illegal in Wisconsin on Dec. 1.
The city's National Night Out is put on by the Police, Fire and Park and Recreation departments as well as the Brookfield Task Force on Public Safety Education. It gives families an opportunity to meet police and fire personnel, and learn ways be safe, Weiss said.
Free T-shirts will be given to participants, while supplies last, and interactive activities, entertainment and food will be offered.
One of the interactive activities includes a Yell and Tell program for kindergartners. Denise Carroll, community services officer for the Police Department, said the program teaches children what to do in dangerous situations - such as when a stranger tries to entice them into a car or secluded place. First children see or identify the danger, then they yell about it to draw attention to themselves and lastly they tell the nearest adult.
Self-defense demonstrations will focus on bullying, Carroll said. Children will have the chance to learn verbal judo, a communication technique they can use to persuade people to do the right thing.
Participants also will be able to watch air bag and child car seat safety demonstrations, and have their child fingerprinted. Information will be available about hunter and boater safety, Internet safety and identity theft prevention.
The band Crossfire will perform.
Other entertainment will include CP Rail rides for children and a dunk tank sponsored by the Elmbrook Humane Society.
The Kiwanis Club will provide food, Brookfield East High School students will help with some children's games and Brookfield Central High School students will paint children's faces.
"There is something for every age group," Carroll said.
A flashlight walk - the Community Walk Against Crime - will take place from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Weiss said that in more urban areas this walk symbolizes residents taking back the streets. In Brookfield, the purpose is to raise awareness about the need to be able to see where you are going and to make sure you are seen at night, she said.
"It brings everyone together for a great ending to our community event," Carroll said.
At a glance
WHAT: National Night Out
WHEN: 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 4
WHERE: Civic Plaza, 2000 N. Calhoun Road
CONTACT: Police Department, (262) 787-3557; Fire Department, (262) 787-3643
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