The Sheepshead Bay community came together with police from the 61nd Precinct Tuesday to celebrate National Night Out Against Crime.
NYPD precincts in all five boroughs celebrated the event, a symbolic gathering initiated 31 years ago to show neighbors reclaiming their streets from violence and crime. New York City’s police force is joined by more than 15,000 communities across all 50 states.
Police forces across the nation will celebrate National Night Out Against Crime for the 31st year, and NYPD precincts in all five boroughs will be celebrating on Tuesday, August 5. The event is celebrated in more than 15,000 communities across all 50 states, representing the communities reclaiming their streets from violence and crime.
Locally, the 61st Precinct at 2575 Coney Island Avenue is kicking off the festivities at 5:00 p.m. Clown Simon will be there!
Also, there will be music, food, rides and ice cream. There have always been some great shows put on by kids, like last year’s dragon dance and the impromptu Gangnam Style performance by this 3-year-old:
Members of the 61st Precinct Community Council and Captain John Chell pose with NYFK Sport Center’s Chinese dragons, which danced during the event.
The officers, auxiliary force, leaders and community council of the NYPD’s 61st Precinct celebrated another stellar Night Out Against Crime, with hundreds of children and their parents taking to the precinct’s lot and adjacent street to celebrate a safe community.
With a heated election year, there were tons of local elected officials and candidates on hand, hobnobbing with neighbors while their children ate free burgers, danced to the DJ, were dazzled by a musician, and took home their own personalized airbrushed t-shirts.
It was the 30th year of the event, and the 61st Precinct is known to throw one of the most extravagant affairs of all the Brooklyn precincts. The event is celebrated in more than 15,000 communities across all 50 states, representing the communities reclaiming their streets from violence and crime.
While there was a lot to love about this year’s event – did you see the dragons?! – my favorite part was the impromptu performance by 3-year-old Jordan Wong, who burst out in dance to Gangnam Style and drew a large audience. We caught most of it on video, below, and Jordan was eager to do it for the crowd again, a not-so-uncommon occurrence according to his father Kuey.
“He’ll do it again. He’ll do it any time. He’s crazy about it,” Wong said about his son. The Wongs live in Bensonhurst and came along with NYFK Sport Center, a group based on 20th Avenue, which performed during the Night Out.
Hundreds turned out for the 29th National Night Out Against Crime, celebrated locally in the yard behind the 61st Precinct (2575 Coney Island Avenue) on Tuesday.
Kids played on giant inflatable amusements, while their parents devoured food supplied by ChopStix Chinese Restaurant (3790 Nostrand Avenue), as well burgers and hot dogs cooked up by volunteers from the 61st Precinct Community Council. Later, a small fleet of antique automobiles rumbled up Gravesend Neck Road, pulling up alongside the inflatable rides for kids and adults to gawk at.
It’s that time of year again, boys and girls: The 61st Precinct is inviting everyone in the community to attend its “28th Annual National Night Out Against Crime,” a family-friendly get-together with delicious food, giant inflatable amusements, music and entertainment.
The gathering, whose purpose is to show criminals that the streets belong to the people, will be held August 2 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. behind the precinct’s stationhouse, 2575 Coney Island Avenue. This is a great opportunity to meet your neighbors, local elected officials and community leaders, and enjoy some fun in the sun.
More than 300 people packed into the yard behind the 61st Precinct yesterday to celebrate the 27th National Night Out Against Crime.
Kids played on giant inflatable amusements, while their parents devoured food supplied by Cherry Hill Gourmet Market. Performers from Lezginka NYC regaled the crowd with traditional Pakistani dances, and a troupe of young Asian-Americans also put on a show. Deborah Lynn Bridges, a former Broadway performer and singer for the NY Knicks, sang the national anthem.
A mainstay of Night Out Against Crime? Awards! Officers, politicians and members of the Precinct’s Community Council exchanged plaques and certificates. Some of the politicians in attendance, who also gave speeches, were Councilman Lew Fidler, Councilman Domenic Recchia, Jr., and Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz.
Fidler took the opportunity to remind revelers of the event’s purpose, to show criminals that the “streets belong to us … the people” and that’s demonstrated by “neighbors coming together and helping each other, standing together.”
(Photos and information provided by Erica Sherman for Sheepshead Bites.)
Children performers from 2009's Night Out Against Crime
The 61st Precinct is celebrating the 27th anniversary of the national Night Out Against Crime this evening.
There will be free food, children’s rides, performances, D.J. music and a celebration of our local law enforcers at the event. Night Out Against Crime kicks off at 5 p.m. and runs ’til 8 p.m. at the 61st Precinct on Coney Island Avenue and Avenue W.
Yesterday marked the 26th Anniversary of the 61st Precinct’s Night Out Against Crime. Organized by the 61st Precinct Community Council, the national event symbolizes the efforts of communities all over the country to take the streets back from crime and use them for positive.
State Senator Marty Golden, Councilman Michael Nelson, CB15 Chair Theresa Scavo and others were in attendance to express gratitude towards the officers of the 61st. Eight-year-old Monica Hershkovich performed “Tomorrow” from the musical Annie, and the Top Scholar dance troop showed their skills. Click the link below to view a slideshow-style gallery of the event.
On Tuesday, August 4, the 61st Precinct is celebrating the 26th Anniversary of its Night Out Against Crime. The festivities will include a DJ, food, rides and amusements, and giveaways. The free event kicks off at 5:00 p.m. and lasts until 8:00 p.m. in front of the precinct.
Organizers are seeking additional items and giveaways, so if you think you can help with giveway items, raffles, or a monetary donation to help the Precinct Council, please call (718) 627-6847.
The event is sponsored by the 61st Precinct Community Council, the 61st Pct. Auxiliaries, the Law Enforcement Explorers, and the officers of the 61st Precinct, with the support of local merchants and elected officials.
When: Tuesday, Aug. 4 @ 5:00 p.m.
Where: Coney Island Avenue and Avenue W
Cost: Free!