An evening that’s all about fighting crime and bringing the community together is approaching soon at locations around the borough.
Each Bronx precinct will host a celebration as part of National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday, August 7, with fun-filled events open to the public bringing cops and the people they serve closer together.
The event takes place on the same night in communities across the country.
Events typically include attractions like bounce houses, barbecues, face-painting and the desemination of useful community information.
Joe Thompson, 49th Precinct Community Council president, said he finds the diverse turnout of the his precinct’s event rewarding every year, with people from different segments of the community attending not just to enjoy hot dogs or live musical entertainment, but each other’s company in a common cause.
“Everyone wants to have a peaceful community,” said Thompson, adding “I love it when I see the different groups out there that are celebrating.”
The idea of NNOAC is that promoting police and community partnerships makes communities safer places, and Thompson said that the more united a community is, the less issues it is going to have with crime.
“It is a way of shouting out to people who would want to destroy our way of life that we are not going to tolerate it,” said Thompson, adding “The gist always remains the same, bringing the community together to make sure we have a solid community and that we fight against crime.”
Aurora Carrion, 43rd Precinct Community Council president, said her event draws support from local businesses every year.
“It is really a great event and I love seeing the community coming out and enjoying themselves,” said Carrion. “Seeing the interaction with the police officers and community and seniors – it is just like one big happy family and it is really nice.”
A 45th Precinct Community Council board member, John Doyle, said that the events is ‘disarming’ and builds bonds, showing police that the community is overwhelmingly on their side.
A list by precinct of National Night Out Against Crime events follows:
• 40th Precinct: Brook Avenue and East 138th Street; 3 p.m. to TBD.
• 41st Precinct: Police Athletic League, 991 Longwood Avenue; 4 to 8 p.m.
• 42nd Precinct: Jennings Street between Prospect and Union avenues, 3 to 8 p.m.
• 43rd Precinct: Bruckner Commons, 970 White Plains Road; 3 to 7 p.m.
• 44th Precinct: East 169th Street between Walton and Jerome avenues, 3 to 7 p.m.
• 45th Precinct: rear of 140 Benchley Place, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
• 46th Precinct: Grand Concourse and East 181st Street, 4 to 8 p.m.
• 47th Precinct: Granada Place between Ely and Laconia avenues, 4 to 8 p.m.
• 48th Precinct: Hughes Avenue between East 187th and East 188th streets, 4 to 8 p.m.
• 49th Precinct: Comras Park; 6 to 10 p.m.
• 50th Precinct: West 234th Street between Broadway and Bailey Avenue; 4 to 8 p.m.
• 52nd Precinct: Poe Park; 5 to 8 p.m.
For more complete information about the specific events and precincts, visit the NYPD website or call your precinct’s community affairs office.
