Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly tonight participated in the 23rd Annual "National Night Out Against Crime" at various locations throughout the five boroughs. The community-oriented event is part of a national effort to increase public awareness of crime, drug prevention and domestic violence all while strengthening neighborhood communities and the relationship between residents and the police. Last year, across the country, more than 34 million people participated in these anti-crime programs and other community activities. Tonight, the Mayor joined residents in Manhattan's 5th Precinct at Columbus Park, Brooklyn's 72nd Precinct at Greenwood Playground, Queens' 113th Precinct at Roy Wilkins Park, Staten Island's 123rd Precinct at Wolfes Pond Park and the Bronx's 45th Precinct at the Co-op City Veteran's Memorial Park. The Mayor and Commissioner Kelly were joined by local elected and police officials. 

"New York City is America's safest big city and events like the ones held tonight ensure that our neighborhood communities play a strong role in keeping our City streets safe," said Mayor Bloomberg. "Our City's participation in National Night Out sends a strong message that crime and drugs will not be tolerated in our communities; that illegal guns have no place on our streets; and that Police Officers and residents work well together, side-by-side in the fight against crime. In New York City, crime continues to drop to levels not seen since the 1960s.  We'll continue to do everything possible - from putting more police officers back on the streets to tackling head-on the national problem of illegal guns - to make New York City even safer."

"The Police Department has succeeded in reducing crime with community partnerships throughout the city," said Commissioner Kelly. "We are fortunate to have excellent relationships with our constituent communities, and National Night Out is a symbol of that strength."

Overall crime in New York City is down by more than 22% since 2001, and is down dramatically in almost every major crime category.  Since 2001, murders are down 14.9%; rapes are down 18%; robbery has gone down 16.5%; felony assaults are down 28.8%; burglary is down 28.7%; and grand larceny auto has dropped 44.6%.

At "National Night Out" celebrations throughout the City, the 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 Unit also distributed education materials in communities throughout the City. Information on recruitment, carbon monoxide, fire safety and heat safety was available in the neighborhoods.

The Department of Probation also sponsored community activities in 25 precincts throughout the City. Probation Officers provided information to community members on Department services - including the Esperanza/Hope Project, the Enhanced Supervision Program (ESP) for the most serious juvenile offenders, borough Resource Units (which refer probationers to community-based resources such as drug treatment and employment programs) and the general supervision and investigation role provided by Probation Officers.

The Mayor's Community Assistance Unit (CAU) will also have staff in Police Precincts across the City to distribute literature about the agency and its initiatives including anti-graffiti literature and other quality of life issues. They will also distribute information on how to volunteer and work in your community.