Cops, Politicians and Insomnia Cookies Bring Smiles to National Night Out on the UWS
Officers of the 20th Precinct at National Night Out.
By Michael McDowell
Law enforcement, politicians, city officials, and in-the-know neighbors and friends made for a lively edition of the National Night Out Against Crime, which was held in the newly renovated Verdi Square at Broadway and 72nd Street on Tuesday.
Organized by the 20th Precinct’s active Community Council—whose president, Sean Grissom, was on hand serenading the crowd with his cello—National Night Out is a community-building campaign that promotes community-police partnerships.
Representative Jerry Nadler stopped by, as did New York State Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal and City Council Member Helen Rosenthal.
Officers of the 20th Precinct with Helen Rosenthal.
“You’re talking to the cat’s meow, to the sunshine, to the kind, courteous, responsible, and respectful officers of the 20th,” Council Member Rosenthal waxed, in a moment of rapture, as she posed for a photograph with local law enforcement.
The Rag resisted hands full of temptation—proffering, in this case, Insomnia Cookies—and gravitated instead toward a Census 2020 table, where Joli Goldman had information about the upcoming decennial count, job opportunities included.
Nearby, Genesis and Sophie, of Century 21, handed out mystery gift cards, while across the way, Deputy Inspector Timothy Malin, of the 20th Precinct, fielded questions from community members.
Other organizations in attendance included the District Attorney’s Office, the Department of Sanitation, Rat Reduction, the Community Emergency Response Team, and the Lighthouse Guild.
Genesis and Sophie, of Century 21.
Further uptown, the adjacent 24th Precinct held a National Night Out event at the Happy Warrior Playground, on Amsterdam Avenue between 98th and 99th Streets.
Community Council meetings are open to all, and are held on a monthly basis: the fourth Monday at 7 p.m. at the 20th, and the third Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the 24th, unless otherwise indicated.
You have more self control than me, I went back for seconds on the cookies, twice!
I wish I had known this was happening! was it published anywhere? So sorry I missed it.
Pssssst Not for nothing but the 24 had a turn out of several hundred. Asn per the Brough we had one of the largest turnouts in Man. And they were still eating at 8pm, 2 hours after the start of the event. Kudos to the Halal restaurant at 95 & Amsterdam They provided their staff and real hot food to us. Beef, chicken and a number of veggies for all that wanted. As usual the precincts officer did a great job in getting this community event set up as well as being the “grill masters” again with all the hot dogs hamburgers etc anyone could eat. There was also pizza, ice cream soda and water for all. Several community organizations as well as city depts had tables staffed with people to help members of the community with any issue that might have had.
The next 24 community council meeting is Wed Sept. 18 at 7pm. It is at the precinct 151 West 100th (Between Amsterdam & Col)