22 May 2019 2019 Build the Block Awards
The New York City Police Foundation and NYPD hosted the first Build the Block Awards Reception on May 22, and announced the winners of the Build the Block Social Media Campaign contest. Thirty-two middle school students were recognized for their commitment to being youth community partners and for facilitating stronger relationships between the NYPD and their local communities. The contest invited middle schoolers to submit video commercials for their local Build the Block meetings. The winners were selected based on how much engagement their video received on social media and on how many people attended their sector’s next Build the Block meeting.
Build the Block meetings are part of NYPD’s Neighborhood Policing strategy, which keeps all New Yorkers safe by improving communication and collaboration between local police officers and community members. These meetings allow all NYC residents to meet with Neighborhood Coordination Officers to identify neighborhood problems and develop strategies to address crime and quality-of-life issues.
Social media is an excellent tool for young kids of NYC to utilize and show their positive interactions with police officers. The Build the Block awards reception is an example of how these kids are utilizing social media to foster relationships between police and the community.
-Rodney K. Harrison, Chief of Patrol
2019 Build the Block Social Media Campaign Winner
The winning video was submitted by Morgan Chattman from the 101 precinct in Far Rockaway. Her video showed officers and young people holding discussions about their community and featured an original jingle written and performed by the students. It received over 25,000 views, over 13,000 likes, and nearly 100 positive comments from the community.
Participants for the contest were selected by the Neighborhood Coordination Officers. Participants had four weeks to develop, shoot, edit, and submit their videos.
With the help of the Build the Block program and other Neighborhood Policing initiatives, crime in New York City is at a record low, with April 2019 seeing the lowest number of reported index crimes of any April in the CompStat era. Find a local Build the Block Meeting here.