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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 219-03
August 5, 2003

MAYOR MICHAEL R. BLOOMBERG AND POLICE COMMISSIONER RAYMOND W. KELLY COMMEMORATE 20th ANNUAL NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly tonight commemorated the 20th annual “National Night Out Against Crime” at various locations throughout the five boroughs. The Mayor and Commissioner Kelly were joined by several elected and police officials and thousands of New Yorkers to heighten public awareness about crime prevention. This year's “National Night Out” celebrations took place in more than 75 locations throughout the city.

The community-oriented event is part of 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 throughout the evening to participate in various anti-crime programs and activities across the country. Participants in New York City include civilians, law enforcement agencies, community groups, businesses, and local officials, as well as members of the Fire Department of New York.

“Events like National Night Out which raise awareness about crime and crime prevention are an important part of reducing crime at the community level,” said Mayor Bloomberg.  “By raising public awareness and through pushing our city-wide crime-fighting initiatives such as Operation Impact and Clean Sweep, we have been able to make New York the safest big city in the nation. Crime rates have continued to decrease here, even as they go up in cities around the country.  So far this year, crime has dropped nearly 7% citywide, and it’s down nearly 12% over the last two years.  Rape is down; robbery is down; assault is down; burglary is down; grand larceny is down; and auto thefts are down.   Just last month, the FBI’s annual crime report found that New York ranked 203rd out of the nation’s largest 224 cities in public safety; right between the thriving metropolises of Garden Grove, California and Henderson, Nevada.”

Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said: “The National Night Out event is a terrific way for members of the community, especially children, to get to know their local police officers and to learn how the New York City Police Department is continuing to make this city the safest it's been in four decades. Right now overall crime is down citywide by almost 7 percent over last year's record-setting levels. Thanks to the men and women of this Department, New York continues to be the safest big city in America.”

The Mayor and Commissioner Kelly traveled to National Night Out sites in Columbus Park in Manhattan, Wolfe’s Pond Park in Staten Island, Commodore Barry Park in Brooklyn, and at Catalpa Avenue and Freshpond Road in Queens, and at Reservoir and Sedgewick Avenues in the Bronx.

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 conducted seminars and demonstrations covering topics such as domestic violence awareness, drug prevention, and civilian observation patrols.

Throughout the evening, New Yorkers learned how to protect themselves against smoke and fire in an FDNY-sponsored fire safety “smokehouse.” NYPD’s Crime Prevention Unit also taught New Yorkers how to protect their homes, businesses, and even your own identities against theft. There was also an opportunity for community members to sign up for the Auxiliary Police Program or a Civilian Observation Patrol and for children to enroll in the Law Enforcement Explorers Program.  In addition, Community Affairs and Youth Officers were also on hand to treat children to face and hand painting, and to take their fingerprints and photos for Kid Care ID Kits. There were also demonstrations by some of NYPD’s elite units, including NYPD's Bomb Squad, Mounted Unit, K-9 Unit, Recruitment, and Emergency Services Unit.







MEDIA CONTACT:


Edward Skyler / Robert Lawson   (212) 788-2958

Michael O’Looney   (NYPD)
(646) 610-6700




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