The Huntley Fire Department softball team once again brought home the Sun City First Responders Softball Game trophy, as it downed the Huntley Police Department in the annual game, by a 16-6 score, A good-sized crowd Aug. 5 looked on at Veterans Memorial Field for the event, which kicked off National Night Out activities.
“It’ was a lot of fun to play the police department in softball,” Huntley’s new Fire Chief, Dan Wagner, said afterward.
“We really appreciate all that the First Responders do for Sun City,” said Jim Uslzer, President of the Neighborood Watch/Neighbors Helping Neighbors Committee, the Sun City NNO organizers.
Before the game, Huntley Police Department’s Scott Sullivan and Rick Madsen of the fire department were recognized for playing in all of the annual games in their current format. It was noted Sullivan, who plays left field, does not wear gloves (but had the “play of the game”), something the crowd seemed surprised.
“It’s fun, good competition, and my brother, uncle and dad played 16-inch softball and we never wore gloves,” Sullivan said.
Also, the new Huntley Fire Chief, Wagner, gave a brief rundown about his career as did Police Chief Linda Hooten, who was in her second year as chief.
Sun City resident Fred Joob sang the National Anthem and God Bless America, and the Sun City Marine Corps Color Guard posted the colors before the call “Play Ball.”
Drones on display
A highlight of the day here at Sun City came later as Kane County Sheriff’s Officers Trevor Hoyt and Erik Millner demonstrated a drone and what it can do to help law enforcement protect residents.
“The response is mixed, but it’s getting better, which is why these public education events are important,” Hoyt said.
Hoyt said most common areas that drones can be of assistance include crime scene reconstruction, getting as much info as possible before people go to the scene; look for missing persons; provide infornation on traffic incidents so roads don’t have to be closed down as long. To that end, a new First Responders Drone division is being established.
“The drones assisted in helping us find 23 missing people and make 11 arrests and (eventually) serve many warants,” Hoyt said. “In one case, we sent a drone into a home at 5 a.m. The suspect was startled and immediately surrendered.”
Huntley’s NNO activities later that evening also had a display of drones.
