Bay Ridge

68th Precinct council hosts barbecue for Night Out Against Crime

Event fosters partnership between cops, community

July 31, 2015 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Josephine Beckmann (left), a member of the 68th Precinct Community Council, works the raffle booth at last year’s Night Out Against Crime event in Shore Road Park. Dozens of prizes were given away. Eagle file photo by Paula Katinas
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Cops from the 68th Precinct and the members of the 68th Precinct Community Council are teaming up to host a major crime fighting event on Aug. 4, but there won’t be guns, handcuffs or arrests involved.

It’s going to be a barbecue in Shore Road Park in Bay Ridge.

A barbecue might seem like a curious way to fight crime but Ilene Sacco, president of the 68th Precinct Community Council, said it makes perfect sense.

“The idea is to build up a true partnership between the police and the community. What our event does is bring police and the community together in a relaxed atmosphere. They learn to trust each other and work together. That’s what keeps communities safer. Police can’t do it alone. They need the support of the community,” Sacco told the Brooklyn Eagle.

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The barbecue, which will take place in Shore Road Park at 79th Street, is the 68th Precinct’s event in conjunction with National Night Out Against Crime.

Precincts and precinct councils all over New York City are planning events for National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday.

National Night Out Against Crime was founded by the non-profit organization National Association of Town Watch in conjunction with the U.S. Justice Department in the early 1980s as a vehicle for communities and local police departments to join together on one symbolic night as a show of strength and unity against crime and drugs.

The 68th Precinct’s Night Out event will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will include lots of fun-filled activities, according to Sacco, a lawyer who has been a Bay Ridge civic leader for many years.

“We will be serving food, snacks and beverages, we will have rides and games for children, there will be giveaways, and there will be over 35 organizations and governmental agencies providing information,” she said.

The event will also feature a concert starring the band Ragdoll performing a tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

And it’s all free.

“Last year we had thousands of people in attendance. This year we hope to make the festivities even bigger and better!” Sacco said.

Sacco and the precinct council will also have pro-cop petitions available for anyone to sign. Earlier this year, the precinct council announced a “Summer of Support” campaign aimed at showing the support everyday New Yorkers have for police. Under the campaign, residents are  being asked to sign petitions and message boards to show support for police.

Several local businesses are providing funding for the Night Out festivities.

“We are also being joined by all of our local elected officials and Kaleidoscope Toy Store and Gym Guyz- will be providing activities for children. Gym Guyz is our newest partner and we are really excited that they are joining us this year,” Sacco said.

For more information, call the 68th Precinct at 718-439-4211.

 


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