On August 7, Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr. joined members of the NYPD, state Senator Michael Gianaris, Congressmember Joe Crowley and numerous community organizations at the Night Out Against Crime–a national crime prevention event in Astoria Park. This marks the 29th year for the event, which drew hundreds of Astoria residents and was co-sponsored by the 114th Precinct Community Council and the 114th Civilian Observation Patrol. “With the police force dwindling, community involvement is all the more important when it comes to preventing crime,” said Vallone, the chair of the Public Safety Committee. “In Astoria, we are lucky enough to have many residents actively willing to do their part.”