Owatonna Police Bring Back 'Night to Unite' in 2021

The Owatonna Police Department (OPD) is thrilled to announce the return of 'Night to Unite' an annual neighborhood promotion that fell victim to the pandemic in 2020. The event happens Tuesday, August 3, 2021. In their e-newsletter Just the Facts, the department "encourages you to participate in this great celebration of community, crime prevention, and strong police/community partnership."

The department offers a great resource on their website with suggestions and tips to keep it as simple as possible. Some block parties we have visited in the past during some live on-site broadcasts did a potluck or an ice cream social. Find wonderful ideas for kids games on the site as well.

While the feel of the event is like a neighborhood party, the OPD says "Night to Unite is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support and participation in local anticrime efforts, and most importantly, it is a time to strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community partnerships."

Register your party with the OPD and every effort will be made to have a member of local emergency personnel pay a visit to your party.

Heat and Pets

The department has received "an uptick in the number of calls involving pets left unattended in a car. If you leave your pets in a vehicle, even if it is only for a few minutes, you put your pet at risk of serious illness or death." Just the Facts cites the American Veterinary Medical Association with the fact that "temperatures inside your vehicle can rise almost 20 degrees in just ten minutes and the longer you leave your pet unattended, the higher it goes and cracking a window makes no difference."

Enter your number to get our free mobile app

HAVE YOU SEEN ME? 28 Kids Missing From Minnesota

As of April 7, 2021, there are 28 children missing from across Minnesota and have still not been found, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. If you have seen any of them, or have any information on their whereabouts, please don’t hesitate to call 911 or you can call the National Center at 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST).