Tuesday: Meet Local Police At The National Night Against Crime Outdoor Fairs In Fort Greene Park And The Whitman Houses

If you have questions about police-community relations or about issues on your street and neighborhood, and want to meet local police officers face-to-face, then now’s your chance.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, August 4 is the National Night Against Crime — a nationwide day where police precincts across the city and country hold community festivals in their neighborhoods to foster and improve police-community relations. Here in Fort Greene, that means there will be two events going on, making for almost a full day of activity.

1. The first is hosted by the 88th Precinct and will run from 1-7pm at DeKalb Avenue and Washington Park, at the corner of Fort Greene Park. Free carnival rides, food, live music and performances, and public safety information will be on hand, as will local politicians and the precinct’s commanding officer, Captain Peter Fiorillo, and other members of the local police force.
2. The second event will begin at 5pm in the Walt Whitman Houses, at 117 North Oxford Walk. This event is hosted by the 88th Precinct’s PSA 3 — Public Service Area 3, a designation for police forces that oversee public housing — and will continue until 8:30pm. It will feature free food and music, as well as safety and career information.
   This event is of particular importance and significance following the spike in shootings in the Whitman Houses in recent months, including a fatal incident just this past Sunday.