Northfield families can sit down with their police officers this summer, no emergency required.

Police Chief Michael Hutensky, a 26-year department veteran appointed in December 2024, launched Community Roll Call, a five-event series of interactive presentations at parks and schools across the village. Three events have already drawn families for hands-on sessions on police gear, bike safety, and drone technology. Two remain: a Crime Prevention Workshop at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 12, at Happ Road Park, and Junior CSI: Fingerprint Lab at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, at Meadow Park.

The idea, Hutensky told The Record North Shore, is to give officers a chance to engage without the distractions of a busy village event. "A lot of times when we're having contact with people, even if it's at a larger village event, the officers are busy monitoring things and multitasking," he said. "This is a great way for us to just slow down and focus on engaging with people."

Northfield resident Dan Brasch and his two children stumbled onto the June 14 drone demonstration at Sunset Ridge School. Officers invited Brasch's son and other kids to run into the field so the drone could track their movement. Brasch said he came away struck by the officers' rapport with each other, calling it "reassuring" to see a group that "truly care for each other and want to be a part of keeping our city safe."

The department has fewer than 20 sworn officers. Hutensky said the most common questions he fields at the events are about traffic and roadwork around town, not crime.

Community Roll Call carries echoes of the department's history. Former Chief Bill Lustig, who retired in 2024 after 40 years with the force, started the Officer Friendly program in 1981 to build relationships between police and Northfield's youth. Hutensky has called Lustig a "pioneer" for promoting community policing before it became standard practice.

Hutensky said he plans to continue the series next summer. Residents can contact the Northfield Police Department at 350 Walnut Ave. for event details, including whether registration is required.