This year’s National Night Out Against Crime sadly coincided with the tragic death of 14-year-old Ángel Miguel Mendoza Hernández who, as reported, was fatally stabbed in a gang assault in the Williamsbridge Oval park in Norwood on Tuesday evening, Aug. 5, around the same time that the annual event was taking place in Poe Park in Kingsbridge Heights.

 

Members of the 52nd Precinct, including its commanding officer, Deputy Inspector Chase A. Maneri, Det. Stephen Echevarria from the Community Affairs team and others, had joined the 52nd Precinct Community Council, Bronx Community Board 7, NYC Parks, several elected officials and residents to mark the event, while other members of the NYPD and Parks had been patrolling the Williamsbridge Oval and the rest of the precinct.

 

After rain brought the event indoors last year, attendees returned to Kingsbridge Heights’ Poe Park once again for the annual festivities, as similar events took place at other precincts across New York City.

National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships to help make neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. According to the NYPD, “it seeks to strengthen the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement, fostering a true sense of community.”

 

Attendees, young and old, enjoyed a barbeque, face painting, food, bounce houses and other fun activities while leaders and personnel from the local precinct, NYC Parks, including Parks Enforcement Patrol officers had a chance to chat with neighbors, community members, and local businesses, all with the common goal of enhancing partnership and safety.

Attendees also had the chance to win prizes through a musical chairs event and a raffle. A scooter and a $100 gift card for school supplies were among some of the bigger prizes.

 

The 52nd Precinct covers the Bronx neighborhoods of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham, Kingsbridge and University Heights, as well as Bronx Park. Various members of the NYPD from the precinct, including Echevarria, Officer Boland, and others were honored with proclamations by different elected officials at National Night Out, including some from NYC Mayor Eric Adams, Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, State Sen. Robert Jackson (S.D. 31) and City Council Member Oswald Feliz (C.D. 15).

Throughout the year, as reported, various community and safety-related events have also been hosted by the 52nd Precinct. A mass was held on May 28 for local first responders, including members of the NYPD, FDNY and EMS at St. Philip Neri Church in Bedford Park. Various members of the community, including local children and local graffiti clean-up group, Guerinos Against Graffitti*, attended. The Annual Autism Awareness Walk was also held.

 

On July 28, as reported, NYPD Det. First Grade Didarul Islam of the Bronx’s 47th Precinct was tragically and fatally shot in a mass shooting in Manhattan while on a special assignment.

Meanwhile, as reported, NYPD Chief of Department John Chell, and NY Gov. Kathy Hochul have each weighed in with their thoughts on declining applications to the NYPD, and while speaking on Fox 5’s Good Day NY on Aug. 8, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch called on New York State to do more to combat the City’s mental health crisis.

 

“We need capacity in our hospitals to care for people suffering from severe mental illness,” Tisch said, a point which has also been championed by Democratic mayoral nominee, Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani (A.D. 36) who, as reported, wants to create a community safety unit which would incorporate a mental health section.

“Our cops bring people to the hospital thousands of times a year who are in mental health distress,” Tisch continued. “They get released two hours later with a sandwich.” She added, “We need to care for these people. New York State needs a different approach in caring for and treating people with mental health issues, and it can’t be the police department always being called to do everything.”

 

Despite a drop in overall crime across the City, the Bronx has, unfortunately, continued to see a wave of summer violence affecting many young people in particular, coupled with an alarming rise in rape statistics. Read some examples here and here.

In late June, the 52nd Precinct Community Affairs outreach unit organized a safety seminar for the older adult community with their crime prevention officers at Mosholu Montefiore Community Center on DeKalb Avenue in Norwood.

 

On May 10, after two postponements for weather and other reasons, the 52nd Precinct Egg Hunt finally took place. The annual event consisted of face-painting, games, snacks, and a visit by the Easter Bunny. “It’s so fulfilling to see the look on these precious children as they engage with the police officers,” the 52nd Precinct Clergy Council later said.

The 52nd community council later thanked “Mastermind” Echevarria, his new partner PO Jose Torres, EMT Lt. Bonilla, the NYPD Explorers, and members of the 52nd Precinct Clergy Coalition for organizing the event and a shout out was also given to Assemblyman John Zaccaro Jr. (A.D. 80) for sponsoring it, along with Nelson Bonilla of Never End Love.

 

The precinct also holds ad hoc “Coffee with a Cop” events where members of the public can sit and chat with a police officer at different coffee shops or other venues in the local community to discuss issues of concern or ask questions.

Earlier this year, in March, the 52nd Community Council held a Dress & Suit Prom giveaway at Tracey Towers in Bedford Park where dresses, men’s suits, and shoes were donated to Bronx youth in conjunction with the Office of the Bronx District Attorney. “We had a good day,” the council later wrote of the event. “Thank you to Jean Hill, Tracey Towers Tenants Assoc.” they added.

 

Last year, 52nd Precinct Community Council President Brenda Caldwell Paris was honored by Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15) for her contribution to the local community for the last 20 years.