Night Out

Yesterday I attended NYC's participation in National Night Out in Father Demo Square in the Village, sponsored by the 6th precinct. The National Night Out campaign involves citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 10,000 communities across the country. The event is designed to heighten crime awareness, strengthen local anticrime programs and police-community partnerships. In NYC, the event has evolved to one where the focus in on officers who have lost their lives in the last five years. Among those in attendance at this event were Mayor Bloomberg, NYPD police commissioner Raymond Kelly, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and NYPD sixth precinct commander Theresa Shortell. David Gruber (see posting on the reopening of Father Demo Square) was on hand and introduced me to a number of attendees including the Borough President, Scott Stringer to whom I gave a New York Daily Photo card - I hope he visits this site. One block of Carmine Street was closed to traffic where the 6th precinct had a cookout (with free food) and tables of literature related to crime prevention. Although all the officials that were present have a record of public service, I must say that I have been extraordinarily impressed by police commissioner Raymond Kelly. A self made man of humble background (his father was a milkman), he has several academic degrees, is a former marine and has had numerous awards and citations. I would highly recommend a read of his bio - click here. Through his stewardship along with efforts of others like former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and the CompStat system (started in 1994 by Police Commissioner William Bratton and Deputy Commissioner Jack Maple) , crime is now the lowest it has been in NYC since 1963. I know Kelly is only human, but it's nice to see they come like this sometimes ...