By Carla Zanoni
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
UPPER MANHATTAN — Kids, families and police officers gathered Tuesday in Inwood and Washington Heights to celebrate the NYPD’s National Night Out, an annual event that seeks to build better community awareness about crime-prevention and strengthen police ties with the community.
Two events took place Tuesday afternoon into the evening, with the 33rd Precinct celebrating at the sunken playground in Highbridge Park at 167th Street and Edgecombe and the 34th Precinct celebrating at Anne Loftus Playground in Fort Tryon Park on the corner of Broadway and Riverside Drive.
Both events featured games, food and prizes for the children who attended and stands for residents to learn how to volunteer for the department’s auxiliary police force.
Deputy Inspector Joseph Dowling for the 33rd Precinct said he looks forward to the event every year.
“It’s a great way for the community to get to know us and us to get to know them,” he said.
George Espinal, president of the 34th Precinct Community Council, credits the event with raising community awareness of the NYPD’s work.
“National Night Out is an important part of reducing crime in Washington Heights-Inwood,” he wrote in a public statement.
Washington Heights resident Aileen, 9, and her twin sisters Lorissa and Lauren, 11, said the best part of the event for them is having fun.
“They had games and activities for kids,” Aileen said after hula hooping with her sisters. “That’s the best part of being here.”
