Community Corner
National Night Out in the 76th Precinct
The 76th Precinct gathered with community members in Red Hook's Coffey Park to prevent crime.
Carroll Gardens area neighbors and law enforcement officials came together in Red Hook Tuesday night to celebrate the 29th Annual National Night Out.
Members of the 76th Precinct, Carroll Gardens and Red Hook residents celebrated community and police officers at Coffey Park as part of a national event.
Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes said that National Night Out was a “recognition that crime won’t turn around without community support…and this community never gave up.”
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Started 29 years ago by the National Association of Town Watch, National Night out seeks to promote awareness about crime and drug prevention while strengthening bonds between community residents and police officials.
Captain Jeffrey Schiff added that “lawlessness will not be tolerated…one phone call can make the difference.”
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Citizens were the focus of this event, with the common statement being “if you see something, say something.”
The captain said his “number one priority was always communication.” He related a recent incident in Carroll Gardens where a pedestrian noticed a man breaking into a car, “they called the police and the man was arrested.”
According to Capt. Schiff, Carroll Gardens' largest problem is larceny and iPhone thefts. Etching tables for phone tracking were available at the event.
Captain Carlos Valdez added that National Night Out attempted to “recruit youth with the Explorers program…to take kids off the streets.”
Neighborhood resident Lydia Buffington lauded the captains for doing "a great job at keeping crime down." She pointed to the various organizations present—Brooklyn Arts Council, Carroll Gardens Association, Red Hook Youth Court, to name but a few—and said "working together is the best thing possible...organization involvement is great for the community."
Summit Academy, a charter school in the area, was there “to support the community…to invest in the lives of [residents] as well as students,” said teacher Rictoria Brother.
Down the street in Carroll Park was Transit District 30’s National Night Out, Deputy Officer DeRose said Carroll Gardens was an “accepting community." It's also now a very safe one.
