Bay Ridge takes a stance against crime and drugs at National Night Out

Bay Ridge is once again more than ready to fight against crime when the annual “National Night Out” event kicks off on August 7.

Each precinct in New York hosts an event; in the 68^th Precinct – which serves Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights and Fort Hamilton – a large crowd turns out each year to have fun and show its support for local anticrime programs, strengthening neighborhood spirit.

For this year’s event, which The Home Reporter is proud to sponsor, the headliner will be an Abba tribute band, “The Abbagirlz,” which will be performing. Ilene Sacco, the 68th Precinct Council President, explained that after seeing clips of their performances, she thinks “they look, sound and dress just like Abba.”

But, that’s not all. The event – which will begin at 6 p.m. and last until 9 p.m. in Shore Road Park at 79th Street – will feature crime prevention information, food, giveaways and rides and activities for the kids.

As part of the crime prevention measures, people attending will be able to get the back of their cellphones and other small electronics etched with a special ID number, in case their property ever gets stolen. A record will be kept, and if the item later turns up, the owner will be able to claim it as his/hers.

“Last year we had over 3,000 people in attendance and we hope to have even more this year,” Sacco exclaimed.

National Night Out — which is organized under the aegis of the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) — started almost three decades ago with everyone keeping their “porch lights on,” as Sacco explained, as a way to let the criminals know that they were not welcome in the neighborhood.

Years later, the event, held the first Tuesday of each August “has proven to be an effective, inexpensive and an enjoyable program, “as described by the nationaltownwatch.org website, in what is a continuous fight for a safer nation.

National Night Out Against Crime is celebrated in thousands of precincts throughout the nation, in all 50 states. “Each precinct has its own way of celebrating,” remarked Sacco, “but we do a bigger one.”

The main idea is to “send a message to criminals to let them know that the community is organized and ready to fight back,” a message from nationalownwatch.org read.

“It’s exciting. It will be so much fun! I’m bringing my own tambourine and I can’t wait!” added Sacco.

Volunteers are needed. Anyone who is interested should contact the precinct council at 718- 307-7870.

Also, for people who would like to help, raffle tickets are being sold to help offset the high costs of National Night Out Against Crime. If you would like to support the 68th Precinct Community Council, and purchase raffle tickets at $5.00 each, please make checks out to: The 68th Precinct Community Council and mail them to: The 68th Precinct Community Council, c/o Ilene Sacco, 238 87th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11209.

The drawing will be held at National Night Out, August 7, and the winner need not be present to win.