70th Precinct Celebrates National Night Out With Food, Fun, And (BBQ) Flames

Anna Gustafson -

Neighbors came out in full force for last night’s 70th Precinct National Night Out Against Crime, one of thousands of similar events that take place across the country in an attempt to fight crime by fostering tighter bonds between residents and police.

During the free event held at the Parade Grounds, neighbors met the precinct’s new commanding officer, Deputy Inspector Richard DiBlasio, as well as a host of other officers and community leaders (including the representatives from Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth’s Thompson’s office who are pictured above with DiBlasio). The night’s festivities included free food, games, face painting, and more.

Joyce of Shayna’s Restaurant (Church and E. 10th) whipped up some of her popular chicken pilau and cabbage, and Raul, the owner of the new Ideal Supermarket (Church and Rugby), provided cases of hot dogs. The Allama Iqbal Community Center (929 Coney Island Avenue) also served up giant trays of free chicken biryani.

Church BID Executive Director Lauren Elvers Collins and Detective Kim Walker, a community affairs officer with the 70th Precinct, spend time at the night out.

The NYPD Explorers also came to lend a hand with the evening’s activities.

Members of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) were also there to speak to neighbors about their group, which is looking for volunteers.

Mariya Yudkevich, of Councilman Chaim Deutsch’s office, helps (wo)man one of the informational tables that lined the Parade Grounds.

Many thanks to neighbor Nathan Thompson, the 70th Precinct Community Council’s secretary, for the following photos:

Councilman Mathieu Eugene greets the police officers at the Parade Grounds.

70th Precinct Community Council President Ed Powell and Anita Neal, the mother of Kyam Livingston, at the festivities.

Community Board 14 District Manager Shawn Campbell addresses the crowd.

Assemblyman Jim Brennan speaks to neighbors.

If you were there last night, let us know how you thought it went. Did you get to talk to officers about concerns? If so, what did you bring up with them?