Tuesday: Meet Your Local Bed-Stuy Cops on National Night Out

BED-STUY, BROOKLYN — Police-community relations have been at the forefront of the national conversation this year. That applies to New York City as well.

Events like the fatal police shootings of Delrawn Small andAkai Gurley, both in East New York, have made headlines.

At the same time, the NYPD says crime has hit historic lows in the city, even while its officers are having fewer "contacts" — such as stop-and-frisk encounters — with city residents. The force is also continuing to roll out community policing at precincts throughout the city, a model under which officers are dedicated to specific geographic areas, with the goal of better connecting residents with their local cops.

That's also the goal of National Night Out, a nationwide evening of community events led by police officers that takes place on August 2.

If you live in Bed-Stuy, your neighborhood is patrolled by either the 79th or the 81st Precinct (here's the NYPD's precinct map so you can check).

The 79th will host events from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Plaza, located at 1368 Fulton St.

The 81st will run events from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Playground, located at Chauncey Street and Malcom X Boulevard.

Photo at top courtesy of NYPD