By Shira Frager
Queens’ communities will come together in support of their local police officers at the 27th annual National Night Out Against Crime on Tuesday.
The event, sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, is an outreach program created to prevent crime and drug usage as well as to strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.
“It’s a way for the community to come out in one aspect to bond with the police officers,” said 106th Precinct Police Officer Kenneth Zorn.
Almost every state in the U.S. participates in NNO on the first Tuesday in August, holding block parties, cookouts, visits from local police and sheriff departments, parades, exhibits, flashlight walks, contests and youth programs.
“We provide refreshments, foods, entertainment for the kids, performances by local dance groups, musicians and artists,” said Det. Kisoo Kim of the Community Affairs Office at the 109th Precinct. “It’s a good time to come out and mingle with the police department.”
According to Kim, several hundred people generally show up at the evening event, and elected officials come out to represent their constituents.
Zorn noted that National Night Out events are sponsored by various companies and organizations, from local restaurants to 99-cent stores, real estate companies and libraries.
According to Kim, the participating community is made up of people who live and work in the particular precinct. He said the interaction between people allows them to get acquainted with one another within communities and learn about other cultures. “It’s a way for people to bring out people they may not meet,” he said.
Between 15 and 16 civic organizations come out to participate, and people are taught about crime prevention with demonstrations.
National Night Out events in Queens
100th Precinct
Where: 116th St, between Rockaway Boulevard and Boardwalk
When: 4-10 p.m.
101st Precinct
Where: O’Donahue Park, Beach 17th Street and Seagirt Boulevard
When: 6-9 p.m.
102nd Precinct
Where: 109th Street and Myrtle Avenue
When: 6-9 p.m.
103rd Precinct
Where: Rufus King Park, 150th Street and 89th Avenue
When: 3-8 p.m.
104th Precinct
Where: Mafera Park, 65th Street and 68th Avenue
When: 6-9 p.m.
105th Precinct
Where: Cabbell Park, Francis Lewis Boulevard and 120th Avenue
When: 5-9 p.m.
106th Precinct
Where: Tudor Park, North Conduit avenue between 81st Street and 83rd Street
When: 6-9 p.m.
107th Precinct
Where: Electchester Shopping Mall, Parsons Boulevard between 71st and Jewel avenues
When: 7 p.m.
108th Precinct
Andrews Playground, 49th Avenue between Vernon Boulevard and 5th Street
When: 5-9 p.m.
109th Precinct
Where: PS 20 playground, Barclay Avenue and Union Street
When: 5-9 p.m.
110th Precinct
Where: Flushing Meadows Corona Park Children’s Playground
When: 6-9 p.m.
111th Precinct
Where: Douglaston shopping center, upper level, 61-00 Douglaston Parkway
When: 7-9 p.m.
112th Precinct
Where: McDonald Park, Queens Boulevard and Yellowstone Boulevard
When: 6-9 p.m.
113th Precinct
Where: Baisley Pond Park, Jamaica
When: 6-10 p.m.
114th Precinct
Where: Astoria Park, Shore Boulevard and Ditmars Boulevard
When: 5-8 p.m.
115th Precinct
Where: PS 148 Park 90, 32nd Avenue between 89th and 90th streets
When: 7-10 p.m.
Antonia Morales and Christina Santucci contributed to this story.
