BY JANE ARGODALE | On Tuesday, August 2, Chelsea’s 10th Precinct and Hell’s Kitchen’s Midtown North Precinct held outdoor festivities as part of a the annual National Night Out Against Crime, which brings local police and communities together. The events, held at the Fulton Houses (W. 17th St., btw. Ninth and 10th Aves.) and Hell’s Kitchen Park (10th Ave., btw. W. 47th & W. 48th Sts.), saw numerous officers and residents, including families with children, in attendance.
At the Fulton Houses event, there was a concerted effort to make residents aware of resources in their community. Along with games for children, a barbecue with burgers and hot dogs, and a DJ, information booths were set up by organizations including Friends of the High Line, the Hudson Guild, the District Attorney’s Office, and the NYPD’s Domestic Violence unit. Officer Maria Candres of the 10th Precinct was at the Domestic Violence Unit’s booth, and explained that, “We have these flyers here to reach out to the community.” Candres praised the event, telling Chelsea Now, “It’s good for residents to see cops when they’re not arresting people. There’s a lot of bad stereotypes about cops, especially in low income areas.”
Commanding Officer of the 10th Precinct, Captain Paul Lanot, also praised the event. “We’re building relationships and connections block by block. The people here have been so warm and inviting, and I’m hoping to get to know everybody — or as many people as I can,” Captain Lanot told Chelsea Now.
Fulton Houses resident Barry Wilson found the event successful in improving police-community relations. Speaking to Chelsea Now, he explained, “People really get to know the police. Every year it’s nice. [The relationship between police and the community] is good, a lot better than it is in other places.”
In Hell’s Kitchen Park, the 35 boxes of pizza members of the Midtown North Precinct Council had brought quickly ran out — making the event a success. City Councilmember Corey Johnson was among the attendees.
Commenting on the annual event, Councilmember Johnson told Chelsea Now, “It’s always an opportunity to come together and further our relationships, and it’s one of the biggest community events. The relationship between the police and community on the West Side is really good. There’s an open dialogue; violent crime has gotten lower, and I’m proud of the NYPD’s work here.”
Hell’s Kitchen resident and treasurer of the Midtown North Precinct Council Eileen Spinner described police in the neighborhood as “very responsive,” noting that recently they’d had responded quickly to noise complaints that she had made. Spinner praised the NYPD’s work, noting, “Crime statistics have gone down all over the city.”
With both police and neighborhood residents in attendance, the Chelsea and Hell’s Kitchen events were packed throughout the evening.
