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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PR- 301-05
August 2, 2005

MAYOR BLOOMBERG AND POLICE COMMISSIONER KELLY COMMEMORATE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME

Crime Down Nearly 20% in New York City Over the Last Four Years

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly tonight commemorated “National Night Out Against Crime” at various locations throughout the five boroughs. 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 in various anti-crime programs and activities across the country. The Mayor and Commissioner Kelly were joined by Office of Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph F. Bruno, 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 87 locations throughout the City.

“Raising awareness about crime and crime prevention at the community level has been an important part of reducing crime Citywide,” said Mayor Bloomberg.  “National Night Out Against Crime is an excellent way for communities to meet and get to know the Police Officers who are working day in and day out to keep their streets safe.  Crime in New York City continues to drop to levels not seen since the 1960s, with overall crime down almost 20% from four years ago.  In addition, we are on course for our fourth straight year with fewer than 600 murders. According to FBI statistics, New York City continues to be safest big city in America.  I want to thank all New Yorkers who came out tonight and who care deeply about keeping our City safe.”

“Crime continues to go down across the city to its lowest level in decades thanks to the partnership between the Police Department and community members,” said Commissioner Kelly. “That partnership is getting stronger every day, but we can’t afford to sit back and rest on our success. We have to continue to work hard to make the ongoing crime reduction a permanent part of life in New York City.”

Crime in New York City is down by nearly 20% since 2001, and down dramatically in almost every major crime category.  Since 2001, murders are down 19.2%; rapes are down 13.8%; robbery has gone down 13.7%; felony assaults are down 27.2%; burglary is down 27.9%; and grand larceny auto has dropped 36.9%.

The Mayor and Commissioners Kelly and Bruno traveled to National Night Out sites in Happy Warrior Park the 24th Precinct in Manhattan, at Victory Boulevard and Clove Road in the 120th Precinct in Staten Island, the Christian Cultural Center in the 75th Precinct in Brooklyn, at John Bowne Elementary School in the 109th Precinct in Queens, and at East 230th Street and Laconia Avenue in the 47th Precinct in the Bronx.

At “National Night Out” celebrations throughout the City, NYPD’s Crime Prevention Unit taught New Yorkers how to protect their homes, businesses, and even their own identities against theft. There were also opportunities 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.  Members of the FDNY’s Fire Safety Education Division also took part in several communities throughout the City to provide information about recruitment, Fire Safety, Carbon Monoxide and other important information.







MEDIA CONTACT:


Edward Skyler / Robert Lawson   (212) 788-2958



GENERAL CONTACT:

Paul Browne   (Police Department)
(646) 610-6700


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