New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly will commemorate the 20th annual "National Night Out Against Crime" at five locations throughout the city on Tuesday, August 5, 2003. From about 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Kelly, along with several other high-ranking city and police officials, will visit selected sites in all five boroughs. This year's "National Night Out" celebrations will take place in more than 75 locations throughout the city.

The community-oriented event is a national effort to heighten public awareness of crime, illegal narcotics and domestic violence, and to strengthen police and community relations. More than 30 million people are expected to participate tomorrow night in various anti-crime programs and activities across the country. Participants will include civilians, law enforcement agencies, community groups, businesses, and local officials, as well as members of the Fire Department of New York

The 20th annual "National Night Out" is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW), which also sponsors the event in New York City in partnership with the New York Police Department. Local precincts, Public Service Areas, and Transit Districts involved will conduct seminars and demonstrations covering topics such as domestic violence awareness, drug prevention, and civilian observation patrols. Members of the NYPD's Bomb Squad, Mounted Unit, K-9 Unit, Recruitment, and Emergency Services Unit will all be on hand at many sites. These sites will also provide information on tutorial programs to assist applicants prepare for the test.

From about 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Mayor Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Kelly will visit the following sites tomorrow to commemorate the 20th annual "National Night Out":

Brooklyn
88 Precinct Commodore Barey Park DeKalb Avenue and Washington park

Manhattan
5 Precinct Columbus Park, on Mosco and Bayard Streets, between Mulberry and Baxter Streets

Queens
104 Precinct Catalpa Avenue between Freshpond Road and Shaler Avenue

Bronx
50 Precinct Reservoir Avenue between Webb and Sedgewick Avenues

Staten Island
123 Precinct Wolfes Pond Park Hylan Boulevard and Cornelia Avenue


For more information about specific times and locations of "National Night Out" celebrations across the city, contact Karen Carter at 646-610-4580.