Hilltop Playground was packed Tuesday night as Ocean Hill residents gathered for National Night Out, an annual event aimed at strengthening community relationships with the NYPD.

Families filled the park, with children playing, parents dancing and neighbors lining up for face painting, all while highlighting a shared appreciation for a stronger police presence in the neighborhood.

“It’s good to see the NYPD and the community, especially the Black community, coming together and showing that the police are not scary,” said Keisha Gale, of Ocean Hill. “They’re here to help us and to assist us with our needs.”

Many attendees said they’ve noticed a significant drop in crime in recent months and credit increased patrols for the shift.

Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch are also expected to join the celebration, continuing the city’s push to build trust and transparency between police and the communities they serve.