Brooklynites and the officers charged with protecting them got together all across the borough on Aug. 4 for National Night Out Against Crime, an annual celebration of communities against crime. Families came in droves to nab some nosh, get funky, and turn the tables on the NYPD by giving them the third degree, for a change.
The National Night Out Against Crime concept was devised in 1983, when New York was a very different place. Participants held parades and vigils as a way of raising awareness about crime prevention. Luckily, the city is a safer place these days, so National Night Out Against Crime events resemble block parties, with tons of events aimed at letting neighborhood kids have a good time.
“My kids had a blast,” said Gina Edwards, who brought her two kids, Conor and Emily, to the 68th Precinct in Bay Ridge. “They loved all the rides and they got to sit in the cop car and play with the sirens.”
Kids in Marine Park got to enjoy their Night Out on the park’s lawn. The 63rd Precinct treated locals to hot dogs, pizza, drinks, and snow cones. Local dance and music groups performed, while the neighborhood’s youngest denizens were treated to a magic show from the Cyclones’ King Henry.
But while the Night Out has become an event focused on letting kids have fun, local adults still relish the chance to meet, greet, and interact with the officers that patrol their neighborhoods every day. One woman who stopped by Brooklyn Bridge Park to join the 84th Precinct said events like this help remind citizens that police officers are members of their communities, too.
“Sometimes police seem distant to us,” said Frances Collins of Lefferts Gardens. “Something like this gives them the opportunity to have some downtime with people in the community and mingle.”
Reach reporter Eric Faynberg at (718) 260–2508 or by e-mail at efaynberg@cnglocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @ericfaynberg.
Burger Bash: The 78th Precinct fed partygoers with eats from Shake Shack.
Photo by Jason Speakman
Kick Back: AmeriKick karate students from the 78th Precinct performed for spectators.
Photo by Jason Speakman
LT Soundsystem: Lieutenant Rhodes manned the music for the 78th Precinct.
Photo by Jason Speakman
Face Fun: Maya Poten and Aiden Santos got their faces painted at the 60th Precinct’s Night Out Against Crime.
Arthur De Gaeta
Runs in the Family: Officer John Passarella with nephew Dylan James Passarella.
Arthur De Gaeta
Oh Captain, My Captain: Emmi Reyes and Maria Granada celebrate with the 61st Precinct’s Captain Hagestad.
Photo by Arthur De Gaeta
Nice Slice: Antoine Laurent enjoyed some pizza during the 61st Precinct’s National Night Out Against Crime.
Photo by Arthur De Gaeta
Community Board Burgers: Theresa Scavo, chairwoman of Community Board 15, served up burgers with Fran Schwartz and Bob Gevertzman at the 61st Precinct.
Photo by Arthur De Gaeta
Hats Off: Evan and Dylan Torres got free graffiti hats courtesy of airbrush artist Joe Indart at the 61st Precinct.
Photo by Arthur De Gaeta
Pols Celebrate Police: Borough President Adams, right, joined State Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon and Leslie Lewis, president of the 84th Precinct Community Council.
Photo by Michah Saperstein
Hot Dog Night: Tanya McDermott of Liberty Church prepared hot dogs for the 84th Precinct’s Night Out Against Crime.
Photo by Michah Saperstein
Fan of the Finest: Frances Collins at the 84th Precinct’s National Night Out Against Crime.
Photo by Michah Saperstein
Generous Guest: Officer Diana Torres and Darrell Cheng from Liberty Church with Eddie Fischer of Horse Power Electric, center, who donated all of the food at the 84th Precinct’s Night Out against Crime.
Photo by Michah Saperstein
Food and Family: Karen Liu and her mother, Kayla, enjoy some snacks at the 62nd Precinct’s National Night Out Against Crime celebration.
Photo by Georgine Benvenuto
Choo Choo Train: Michelle Hu and her son Kevin get a front row seat on this amusement ride at the 62nd Precinct’s National Night Out.
Photo by Georgine Benvenuto
Smile Slide: Emily Lee enjoys the slide at the 62nd Precinct.
Photo by Georgine Benvenuto
Sweet Ride: Officer Yosh Shohatee gives Connor and Emily Edwards a tour of a 68th Precinct cruiser.
Photo by Georgine Benvenuto
Bluebloods: Linda Sasour with Auxiliary Officer Ayat Masoud, Lieutenant David Eng, Auxiliary Officer Eyman Zaki, Officer Yosh Shohatee and Auxiliary Lieutenant Frances Proscia.
Photo by Georgine Benvenuto
Oh what a night: Lieutenant Lapinska with Raquel Queme of the 90th Precinct Community Council and Amaris Vasquez celebrate National Night Out Against Crime in Williamsburg.
Photo by Stefano Giovannini
And the band played on: The band gets participants grooving.
