Assemblyman Colton Joins Local Residents, Police to Celebrate Night Out Against Crime
Assemblyman William Colton accepted his award from members of the 61st Precinct Community Council while the precinct’s commanding officer, Captain Joseph Antonio, looked on.
Assemblyman William Colton with the new commanding officer of the 62nd Precinct, Captain Mohammed Islam, right, and the precinct’s Executive Officer, Captain Paul Melendez.
Assemblyman William Colton with staff and interns at the 62nd Precinct’s Night Out Against Crime event.
Assemblyman William Colton with staff and interns at the 62nd Precinct’s Night Out Against Crime event.
Assemblyman William Colton with staff and interns at the 62nd Precinct’s Night Out Against Crime event.
It was a tale of two precincts for Assemblyman William Colton (D—Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights), who was delighted to attend both the National Night Out event at the 62nd Precinct and the National Night Out event at the 61st Precinct on Tuesday, August 5.
“These events are so important, because they bring cops and community together,” said Assemblyman Colton. “It’s an opportunity for neighborhood people to get to know the officers who patrol their streets, and also learn about the various programs that the precincts offer, from membership in the Auxiliary Police to Explorers programs for teens. In our fraught times, building bridges between law enforcement and the people whom they serve is crucial, and I was delighted to be part of it.”
The event at both precincts featured a wide range of family-friendly activities and information tables, including one at the 62nd Precinct event staffed by a team from Assemblyman Colton’s office, who gave out a variety of information and bottles of hand sanitizer to neighborhood residents.
In addition, Assemblyman Colton was honored by the 61st Precinct for his efforts on behalf of the community. “I am extremely grateful for the recognition,” Assemblyman Colton said. “But, to me, the most important thing is to serve my constituents, both legislatively and in the district, whether that means sponsoring cleanups or helping people cut through the red tape of bureaucracy.”
National Night Out Against Crime, an annual event first held in 1984, marks the community’s commitment to safe streets, and is celebrated on the first Tuesday of August as a night for taking a stand against drugs and crime. It is organized under the aegis of the National Association of Town Watch. Millions of people across all 50 states, U.S. territories and military bases participate each year.
The 62nd Precinct’s Night Out event took place on Bay 22nd Street, adjacent to the precinct house. The 61st Precinct’s Night Out event took place behind the station house on Coney Island Avenue, near Avenue W.