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Community Celebrates National Night Out At The 66th Precinct With Rides, Petting Zoo, Chinese Dragons & More

Community Celebrates National Night Out At The 66th Precinct With Rides, Petting Zoo, Chinese Dragons & More
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Photo by Jole Carliner/KensingtonBK

It was nothing but blue skies and good vibes at the 66th Precinct’s National Night Out celebration in front of the precinct, which took over 16th Avenue from 60th to 58th streets with rides, a foam wading pool, a petting zoo, food, and a Chinese dragon dance performance for the event.

Sgt. Singh with kids police van
Officer Singh spends time with some of our youngest neighbors. Photo by Jole Carliner/KensingtonBK.

Not only were there lots of kids eager to feed the goats, or climb into the police van, but officers who’ve moved on to other assignments couldn’t keep away. Several current and former 66th Precinct staff told this reporter how happy they were — and are — working at the 66th, and would return if they could in the future.

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Commanding Officer Captain Kenneth Quick speaking from the statonhouse steps. Photo by Jole Carliner/KensingtonBK

In his brief comments, Captain Kenneth Quick, the commanding officer of the precinct, said the 66th appreciates the community it serves. He had heard good things about the 66th when he took over its command. But at Tuesday’s National Night Out event, he saw for himself the “outpouring of community support,” to which those comments referred.

The 66th, he suggested, should serve as a national model for police/community relations.

“This evening is a very, very big success,” he said, and thanked the community, his staff, the 66th Precinct Community Council, Community Board 12, and participating local organizations for making it happen. In particular, he named 66th Council President Mark Katz, CB 12 district manager Barry Spitzer, and the precinct’s community affairs staff: Detective Mike Milici, Officer Joe Vitella, and Officer Mike Riomao for their efforts in organizing the night.

A big bathtub of foam. Perfect for a very hot night.
The big bathtub of foam was perfect for a very hot night. Photo by Jole Carliner/KensingtonBK

While the kids were playing, the adults were schmoozing. Among the politicians who dropped by were Councilman Brad Lander and Mathieu Eugene; a delegation of Bangladeshi leaders consulted with Capt. Quick about a planned vigil for a man killed in Bangladesh and the upcoming Potho Mela Street Fair on McDonald Avenue at Avenue C this Sunday, August 9th, from 11 am to 8pm.

Councilman Brad Lander, Kensington Community Board member Mamnunal Haq, and Commander Quic.
Councilman Brad Lander, Kensington Community Board member Mamnunul Haq, and Commander Quick. Photo by Jole Carliner/KensingtonBK
The Bubble tea line.
The Bubble tea line.

The line for bubble tea twisted around and round, and the kids—and their parents—watched the dragons cavort.

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The Chinese dragons dance. Photo by Jole Carliner/KensingtonBK

There were plenty of sideshows, enough to entertain almost everyone there.The Shomrim awarded Commander Quick a citation. Bangladeshi TV interviewed Kazi A. Hossain, the precinct’s community council treasurer. Meanwhile, inside the precinct Officer Stein was juggling phone calls, and in-person complaints:  a young woman reporting a lost passport, and another a lost wallet.

Ca[t. Quick posing for a press photograph
Capt. Quick posing for a press photograph.Photo by Jole Carliner/KensingtonBK
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Kazi Hossain, center. Photo by Jole Carliner/KensingtonBK
The kids fed grass to the goats.
The kids tried feeding grass to the goats. Photo by Jole Carliner/KensingtonBK
the balloon man, wrorking as fast as he an.
The balloon man, working as fast as he can. Photo by Jole Carliner/KensingtonBK
Officer Stein at her post, juggling phone calls and in-person complaints.
Officer Stein at her desk right inside the precinct’s front door, juggling phone calls and in-person complaints. Photo by Jole Carliner/KensingtonBK