Barbequing comes with the badge…

Members of the 61st Precinct Community Council embraced the summer season last week with a special barbecue at the Bainbridge Center.

After a very brief meeting about their Independence Day coverage, members spent the rest of their special July meeting chowing down on barbecue delights prepared by the 61st Precinct’s Auxiliary patrol.

Council President Yves Etienne said that the July meeting, held at 3093 Ocean Avenue, was a perfect opportunity for members to relax, enjoy each other’s company and prepare for the summer’s big event: the 61st Precinct’s National Night Out Against Crime Celebration.

The fun-filled event, which will be held at the 61st Precinct, Coney Island Avenue and Avenue W, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on August 5, will include inflatable rides and plenty of food and games for the kids.

There will also be a DJ, as well as giveaways and raffles.

National Night Out Against Crime is a great way for the community to celebrate their ongoing fight against crime, organizers said.

According to recent statistics, felony crime in the 61st Precinct has fallen by just over two percent over last year.

The number of robberies in the command have fallen by 14 percent, from 28 last July to 24 last month.

Burglaries in the command have also fallen over the summer, by 27 percent, officials said.

Yet the drop in crime has yet to have a lasting effect for the residents of Manhattan Beach, Sheepshead Bay and Gravesend.

For the year, felony crimes in the 61st Precinct has increased by just over six percent.

Robberies are up for the year, by nearly 14 percent, from 132 to 150.

Sources said that a lion’s share of the robberies were teen-on-teen crimes that took place during the school season.

This year’s National Night Out Against Crime celebration is being sponsored by the 61st Precinct Community Council, the 61st Precinct Auxiliaries, the Law Enforcement Explorers and the police officers of the 61st Precinct.