BELMONT, The Bronx (WABC) — At this year’s National Night Out event in the Bronx, police officers were still handing out tickets — raffle tickets — as they danced alongside residents in a rare moment where, as one attendee put it, human connection came before the gun and badge.<\/p>\n
Music filled the neighborhood Tuesday night as families gathered to meet officers outside of traditional enforcement settings.<\/p>\n
For Jacquelyn Reyes, who is raising her daughter Tiana in the Bronx, the chance for children to speak with police matters.<\/p>\n
“I have a little one talking about I want to go speak to the police officers. So yeah, that’s definitely needed because they are human beings like us,” she said.<\/p>\n
Reyes said summers in the borough are often overshadowed by concerns about crime.<\/p>\n
“Those that live in the Bronx know exactly what I’m talking about — concerning. Sometimes the youth don’t know what consequences are of their actions. What we need here is more activities, more I guess talking to the youth,” she said.<\/p>\n
National Night Out has long served as a bridge between officers and residents, and this year’s event came as city officials highlighted historic declines in violence. New York City recorded its fewest shootings and murders on record for the first seven months of the year, and major crime dropped 12.7% citywide in July.<\/p>\n
“None of this happens by accident. It is a direct result of your NYPD cops, the very best in the business, getting out there and doing the work. It’s focused precision policing,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.<\/p>\n
Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the event underscores the importance of trust.<\/p>\n
“When we think about what National Night Out is, it’s an opportunity to build a bridge between law enforcement and the communities that are served and protected and we know that the stronger that bridge is, the safer the community is,” he said.<\/p>\n
The Bronx is leading the city in major crime declines, a significant shift for a borough that has often lagged behind. But residents say the progress does not erase the fear of violence. Just over a week ago, 12-year-old Jacob Freytes was killed by a stray bullet in the 44th Precinct area.<\/p>\n
Oswald Feliz, chair of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, said additional officers have helped reduce violent crime, but more support is needed for underprivileged communities.<\/p>\n
“That is something we’re keeping an eye on because we do not want to go backwards, we do not want to go back to the days where there was a shooting almost on a daily basis in almost every precinct,” Feliz said.<\/p>\n
In the 48th Precinct, where Reyes and her daughter live, shootings remain up. Still, she said she sees signs of progress.<\/p>\n
“There’s always room to improve, but yeah, they’re working on it. And we see it today,” Reyes said.<\/p>\n
As families danced with officers in the Belmont section of the Bronx, the night served as both a celebration of declining crime and a reminder of the work still ahead.<\/p>\n
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