On Tuesday, August 2, 2011, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. joined nearly 50 members of the District Attorney’s Office at police precincts across the borough to celebrate the 28th Annual “National Night Out Against Crime.” Last year, more than 37 million people participated in National Night Out (NNO) nationwide, making it the largest event of its kind to bring together law enforcement officials and community members. In Manhattan this year, each precinct hosted a kid-friendly event similar to a block party, giving residents the chance to mingle with police officers, elected officials, and representatives from local businesses, civic groups and neighborhood organizations.

“Today, we’re celebrating the safe streets in Manhattan communities,” said District Attorney Vance. “Here in the 10th Precinct in Chelsea, where crime is at historic lows, our Crime Strategies Unit has been working with NYPD Deputy Inspector Elisa Cokkinos to combat recidivism so that we are able to effectively target the individuals who drive crime in Manhattan. It’s just one small way in which prosecutors are working day in and day out with police officers at precincts around Manhattan. What is special about National Night Out is that it’s really a celebration. Together, we are sending a strong message that partnerships between law enforcement and the community work, and we’re letting criminals know that they are not welcome in our neighborhoods.”

District Attorney Vance, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly attended the 10th Precinct’s NNO event in Chelsea’s Waterside Park. District Attorney Vance also paid a visit to five other NNO events hosted by the following Manhattan precincts: the 5th Precinct (Columbus Park), 33rd Precinct (J. Hood Wright Park, 173rd St. and Ft. Washington Ave.), the 23rd Precinct (East 106th Street between Lexington and Third Aves.), PSA 6 (St. Nicholas Houses, 127th Street between 8th and 7th Avenue), and the 24th precinct (Happy Warrior Playground, 99th Street & Amsterdam Avenue).

At the 24th Precinct, Joselinne Minaya of the District Attorney’s Office’s Community Affairs Unit was given an award for her 8 years of service to the community.

Members of the District Attorney’s Office’s Community Affairs Unit, Crime Strategies Unit, Trial and Investigation Divisions, and support staff and summer interns participated in NNO events at every precinct in Manhattan.