Tuesday: Meet Your Local Gowanus and Red Hook Cops on National Night Out

GOWANUS and RED HOOK, 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 and Akai 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 New York, 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 Red Hook, your neighborhood is patrolled by the NYPD's 76th Precinct. It will host events from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Coffey Park.

If you live in Gowanus, you're either patrolled by the 76th or the 78th Precinct (here's the NYPD's precinct map so you can double-check).

The 78th will host events from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Grand Army Plaza.

Top image courtesy of the NYPD