UPPER WEST SIDE — Cops took a break from crime fighting to roll out bounce houses, DJs and free pizza for National Night Out on Tuesday night.
The annual nationwide event, where kids and residents mingle with police in a relaxed atmosphere, is meant to show criminals that neighborhoods are united with law enforcement to fight crime.
But on the Upper West Side, where violent crime is at record low levels, is National Night Out still needed?
Absolutely, said Capt. Christopher McCormack, commanding officer of the 20th Precinct, where crime has dropped a staggering 20 percent this year compared with 2010.
One reason for that decline is that officers spend time at events like National Night Out educating the public about how to avoid becoming a crime victim, McCormack said.
"This night makes a huge dent in the crime in the 20th Precinct," said McCormack. "It's all about prevention. That's why crime is down 20 percent in the 20th Precinct. This is a day to get the word out about being aware."
The most common crime in the 20th Precinct, which runs from West 59th Street to 86th Street between Central Park and the Hudson River, is property theft. At Tuesday's celebration, officers handed out free bottles of water with fliers reminding people to watch their valuables.
The 20th Precinct's celebration was at Verdi Square Park, years ago nicknamed "Needle Park" because it was overrun with junkies. Times have changed — the park recently got its own gelato vendor and now hosts a series of free concerts.
At the 26th Precinct's celebration in Claremont Playground on West 122nd Street and Riverside Drive, kids lined up for balloon animals and face painting while cops dished up donated barbecue.
At the 24th Precinct's event at Happy Warrior Playground on West 98th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance, Jr. said National Night Out is about celebrating "community partnership."
"The fact that crime has dropped so significantly is a reflection of that partnership," said Vance, who lives in the 24th Precinct, which covers West 110th Street to West 86th Street between Central Park West and the Hudson River.
The 24th Precinct's commanding officer, Deputy Inspector Kathleen O'Reilly, was celebrating her last National Night Out on the Upper West Side.
O'Reilly, whose five-year stint as commanding officer made her the precinct's longest serving leader, was promoted on Tuesday to head the NYPD's domestic violence unit.
O'Reilly said she would miss the Upper West Side. "I loved working on the Upper West Side," O'Reilly said. "They have the most dedicated elected officials. Everybody works together with the police department and is committed to a better neighborhood."
