Bronx celebrates 25th National Night Out

Bronx celebrates 25th National Night Out

Year by year, Bronx residents have been taking back their streets one block at a time, using National Night Out as their platform to put all criminals on notice that they will not tolerate crime any further. 

This year, on Tuesday, August 5, the Bronx takes part in the 25th Anniversary celebration of the National Night Out Against Crime program created by the National Association of Town Watch in 1984. 

“This event is celebrating its 25th anniversary and seeks to increase awareness about crime and drug prevention,” said Borough President Adolfo Carrion, Jr.  “This is an opportunity for police and community to stand together against crime by showing that they are unified in the fight.”

Every precinct throughout the borough will hold celebrations in their respective communities featuring games, food, entertainment, informational booths and much more, but more importantly, an opportunity for residents to meet with police and create a line of communication that will benefit both parties for years to come. 

“Everyone gets to see the police in a different light,” said 42nd Precinct Community Affairs Police Officer Robert Collazzo.  “During National Night Out, we’re not with residents to enforce crime, but to educate them about the programs available to them to combat crime.”

These programs include the Youth Explorers and Auxiliary Police, and in the case of the 49th Precinct, one of the largest community patrol groups in the Bronx. 

“Representatives from all the community groups will be on hand to sign residents up for the patrols,” said Cathy Soto, of the Neighborhood Initiatives Development Corporation, one of the proud sponsors of this year’s NNO at the 49th Precinct.  “The patrols are truly the eyes and ears of the community and work hand-in-hand with the police to fight crime.”

Over 4,500 people attended last year’s NNO at the 49th Precinct while numbers continue to grow throughout the borough. 

“This is a special time of year when community residents and community police officers come together in a partnership against crime, meet and get to know one another better while enjoying a family picnic and a fun-filled day of activities,” said Wallace Hasan, whose Patterson Houses, at 143rd Street, will be the home to the Bronx Police Service Area 7 NNO. 

It is also time to take action and continue to send a message to criminals who prey on the Bronx resident, according to several local leaders. 

“This is the time to encourage everyone to get out there and make a difference,” said Senator Jeff Klein.  “We are the eyes and ears of our communities and we can do our part to help the police keep our streets strong.”

For more information on National Night Out, http://www.nationalnightout.org/.