National Night Out returns to the Harlem State Building Office plaza
Despite a rainy forecast nearly all week, the skies stayed clear on 125th Street for National Night Out Against Crime. The post National Night Out returns to the Harlem State Building Office plaza appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.
Black News 
Despite a rainy forecast nearly all week, the skies stayed clear on 125th Street for National Night Out Against Crime as the 28th Precinct Community Council once again took over the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building plaza and brought cops and residents together on Aug. 4.
The event marked a nationwide and citywide trust-building exercise between law enforcement and the local communities they serve across the country. The event coincides with Harlem Week and marks a part of the neighborhood celebration, which is themed “Honoring Our Legacy” this year.
As they have before, 28th Precinct Community Council president Leman Jake McGhee and vice president Pastor Staci Ramos spearheaded the event. They extolled the power of prayer and underscored the importance of safe, free fun for the neighborhood.
“Every year, the whole United States would get together and say, hey, we could feed people, we could party, we could dance [and] we could have a good time,” said McGhee. “That’s what the atmosphere of a community is about…that’s what the whole thing is about: showing that we can enjoy each other without being violent.”
“And we can come together in unity,” added Ramos. “This is not a fallacy; this is the hope, and we are surrounded around God…because clergy has always been on the ground [and] knows what’s going on.”
The food crew grills up hot dogs to give out at National Night Out Against Crime. Tandy Lau photo 
Rep. Adriano Espaillat at National Night Out. Tandy Lau photo 
Brooklyn Assemblymember Latrice Walker (far right) joined members of District Attorney Eric Gonzalez’s office for the National Night Out event in Brooklyn. (Credit: Tandy Lau) 
NYPD woman manning the grill at NNO event in BK. (Credit: Tandy Lau photo) 
NYPD blocks off Park Place with cars so kids can play in the street. (Credit: Tandy Lau photo)
Like many precinct community council leaders, McGhee and Ramos long played key roles as a bridge between police and residents. “Community policing” proponents long maintained that trust and cooperation between cops and those they serve can drive down crime and increase safety. In a way, National Night Out in Harlem provides an annual culmination for those efforts, which include recurring precinct community council meetings and other family-friendly events.
Several prizes were raffled off, including a scooter, while the Police Athletic League set up an inflatable sports game. Harlemites lined up as a crew grilled up hot dogs and handed out free food. Local organizations tabled. Elected officials like Rep. Adriano Espaillat and former assemblywoman Inez Dickens pulled up. So did a mobile prostate cancer screening truck.
But unfortunately, there were items like the rock wall, mini train ride, and officer dunk tank from last year that did not make a return. “Somebody beat us to it,” said McGhee, with a chuckle.
The post National Night Out returns to the Harlem State Building Office plaza appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.
