Tuesday: Meet Your Local Park Slope Cops on National Night Out

PARK SLOPE, 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 Prospect Park or Prospect Heights, your neighborhood is patrolled by the 78th Precinct, unless you live in South Slope, in which case you're patrolled by the 72nd (here's the NYPD's precinct map so you can double-check).

The 72nd will host events from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Sunset Park's soccer field.

And the 78th will host its event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Grand Army Plaza.

Finally, Prospect Heights is split between the 78th Precinct (see above) and, in its eastern half, the 77th. The 77th will host events from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Brower Park.

Top image courtesy of the NYPD