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By Julianne Cuba<\/p>\n
Brooklyn Paper<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
They had the right to remain excited!<\/p>\n
Scores of families celebrated the relationship between police and community during the borough’s various National Night Out Against Crime celebrations on Aug. 2. Locals all over Brooklyn enjoyed noshing on hot dogs and Italian ices, jumping on bouncy castles, and watching kids’ dance performances alongside the men and women in blue. Police were tasked with ensuring everyone’s safety, but officers didn’t shy away from having fun with their neighbors, according to one Mill Basinite who attended the 63rd Precinct’s in Marine Park and said she wasn’t the slightest bit intimidated kickin’ it with cops.<\/p>\n
“I was comfortable talking to them, absolutely. And it was fun spending time with them and talking to them. I felt safe,” said Ola Baruwa, who brought her three kids. “The kids had so much fun — the bouncy castle, they did some games, they watched the dancing group, they had the food, we got a lot of free stuff.”<\/p>\n
And one Sheepshead Bay resident had a blast cheering on his 12-year-old daughter, who shook it with her dance company at the 61st Precinct’s party, he said. <\/p>\n
“We watched their performance, absolutely excellent work,” said Mehat Ramis. “It’s very, very fun and lots of food.”<\/p>\n
Over at the 60th Precinct’s night out in Coney Island, three clowns made sure no one walked away without a smile on their face. And Sgt. Frances Goldschlager added a little color to her uniform with a crafted pink balloon hat.<\/p>\n
Up in Park Slope during the 78th Precinct’s event, a police-officer-turned-disc-jockey for the night spun music for the crowds and kids enjoyed rock climbing on an inflatable wall.<\/p>\n
And in Bay Ridge during the 68th Precinct’s night out, local heroes from the Fort Hamilton base — including new leader Col. Peter Sicoli — shook hands with kids and posed for photos. <\/p>\n
Councilman Vincent Gentile (D–Bay Ridge) spent part of the evening with the precinct commanding officer Capt. Joseph Hayward and said the camaraderie amongst the local officers and community members during the event was a great sign in light of tense community-police relations nationwide.<\/p>\n
“The relationship between the community and the brave men and women in blue who protect us each and every day must continue to prosper, especially in today’s climate,” said Gentile.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Reach reporter Julianne Cuba at (718) 260–4577 or by e-mail at jcuba@cnglocal.com. Follow her on Twitter @julcuba.<\/p>\n
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