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<B><FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman" SIZE=5><P ALIGN="CENTER">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</P>
</B></FONT><FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman"><P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
<B><P ALIGN="CENTER">Washington, D.C.  20549</P>
</B>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
</FONT><B><FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman" SIZE=4><P ALIGN="CENTER">FORM 8-K</P>
</FONT><FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman" SIZE=1><P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
</FONT><FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman" SIZE=4><P ALIGN="CENTER">CURRENT REPORT</P>
</FONT><FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman"><P ALIGN="CENTER">PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</P>
</B>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  &#9;March 21, 2002</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</P>
</FONT><B><FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman" SIZE=4><P ALIGN="CENTER">DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.</P>
</B></FONT><FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman" SIZE=1><P ALIGN="CENTER">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</P>
</FONT><FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman">
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P></FONT>
<TABLE BORDER CELLSPACING=2 CELLPADDING=7 WIDTH=618>
<TR><TD WIDTH="32%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman"><P ALIGN="CENTER">Delaware</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman"><P ALIGN="CENTER">0-27782</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="7%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="26%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman"><P ALIGN="CENTER">11-3297463</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD WIDTH="32%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman" SIZE=1><P ALIGN="CENTER">(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="6%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="29%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman" SIZE=1><P ALIGN="CENTER">(Commission File Number)</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="7%" VALIGN="TOP">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="26%" VALIGN="TOP">
<FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman" SIZE=1><P ALIGN="CENTER">(IRS Employer </P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

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<P>&nbsp;</P>
<B><P ALIGN="CENTER">209 Havemeyer Street, Brooklyn, New York   11211</P>
</B><P ALIGN="CENTER">(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)</P>

<P ALIGN="CENTER">Registrant's telephone number, including area code:&#9;(718) 782-6200</P>

<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<B><P ALIGN="CENTER">None</P>
</B></FONT><FONT FACE="CG Times"><P ALIGN="CENTER">(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)</P>
</FONT><FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman" SIZE=1><P ALIGN="CENTER"></P>
</FONT><FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman"><P ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</P>
<B><P>Items 1 through 4, 6, 8 and 9.&#9;&#9;&#9;Not Applicable.</P>

<P>Item 5.       &#9;Other Events.</P>
<P>&#9;</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">&#9;</B>On March 21, 2002, the Board of Directors of Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.  (the &quot;Company&quot;) declared a 3-for-2 stock split in the form of a 50% stock dividend on its issued common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the &quot;Common Stock&quot;).  Shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 1, 2002, will receive one share of Common Stock for every two shares they own on that date.  The new shares will be distributed on April 24, 2002.  A copy of the news release announcing such action is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.</P>
<B>
<P>Item 7.&#9;Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.</P>

<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">&#9;</B>No financial statements are required to be filed as part of this report.  The following exhibits are filed as part of this report.</P>
<B>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
</B><P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&#9;&#9;   <B><U> Exhibit No.&#9;</B></U>&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;<B><U>Description</P>
</B></U>
<OL>
<OL>
<DIR>
<DIR>

<OL>

<LI>Press Release dated March 21, 2002</LI></OL>
</DIR>
</DIR>
</OL>
</OL>


<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<B><P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
</B><P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<B><P>&nbsp;</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">SIGNATURES</P>
</B>
<P>Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</P>

<P>&nbsp;</P>
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<B><P>DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.</P>
</FONT><FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman" SIZE=4>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>/s/ KENNETH J. MAHON</P></DIR>
</DIR>
</DIR>

<P>By:  ___________________________________________</P><DIR>

</B></FONT><FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman"><P>Kenneth J. Mahon</P>
<P>Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</P>

<P>&nbsp;</P></DIR>
</DIR>
</DIR>
</DIR>
</DIR>
</DIR>
</DIR>
</DIR>
</DIR>
</DIR>

<P>Dated: March 21, 2001</P>

<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<B><P ALIGN="CENTER">EXHIBIT INDEX</P>
</B>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<B><U><P>Exhibit</U>&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;&#9;<U>Description</P>
</B></U>
<OL>
<OL>

<LI>Press release dated March 21, 2002</LI></OL>
</OL>


<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
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<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>&nbsp;</P>
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</FONT><B><FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman" SIZE=4><P ALIGN="CENTER">EXHIBIT 99.1</P>
</B></FONT><FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman" SIZE=2>
</FONT><B><FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman" SIZE=7><P ALIGN="CENTER">&nbsp;</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">NEWS RELEASE</P>
</B></FONT><FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman">
<P>&nbsp;</P>
<P>Contact:  &#9;Kenneth J. Mahon - Exec. VP and Chief Financial Officer</P>
<P>718-782-6200 extension 265</P>
<B><U>
</B></U><P>Stephanie Prince/Ian Hirsch -Morgen-Walke Associates</P>
<P>Press: Jennifer Linker - 212-850-5600</P>
</FONT><I><FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman" SIZE=4><P ALIGN="RIGHT"></P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">DIME COMMUNITY ANNOUNCES 50 PERCENT STOCK DIVIDEND </P>
</FONT><B><P ALIGN="CENTER">*</I>Second Such Stock Dividend to Be Paid in Fiscal 2002</P>
</B><FONT FACE="CG Times (W1),Times New Roman">
</FONT><P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Brooklyn, NY - March 21, 2002 - Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: DCOM), the parent company of The Dime Savings Bank of Williamsburgh, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a 50 percent stock dividend on its common stock having the effect of a three-for-two stock split.  </P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Stockholders of record on April 1, 2002 will be entitled to one additional share of common stock for every two shares of the Company's common stock held on that date. Cash paid in lieu of fractional shares will be based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on the record date, as adjusted for the split.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">"Our culture of paying dividends is a strong indication of our overall health and reflects our optimism regarding the outlook for the Company's performance," commented Vincent F. Palagiano, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We believe that a second stock dividend within the fiscal year ending June 30, 2002 further displays our confidence in the prospects for the Company's growth and results."</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">The payment date for the stock dividend will be April 24, 2002, at which time certificates for the new shares will be mailed to stockholders by the Company's transfer agent, Mellon Investor Services. </P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">The Company had approximately 17,260,000 shares of its common stock outstanding as of February 28, 2002. As a result of the stock dividend, the Company will have approximately 25,890,000 shares of common stock outstanding.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">The Company paid a similar 50% stock dividend on its common stock in August 2001.</P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"></P>
<B><U><P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">About Dime Community Bancshares</P>
</B></U><P ALIGN="JUSTIFY"> </P>
<P ALIGN="JUSTIFY">Dime Community Bancshares, Inc., a unitary thrift holding company, is the parent company of The Dime Savings Bank of Williamsburgh, Brooklyn, New York, founded in 1864. With $2.8 billion in assets, the Bank has nineteen branches located throughout Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Nassau County, New York and provides financial services for consumers and businesses and loans for multi-family housing. More information on the Company and Bank can be found on the Bank's Internet website at www.dsbwdirect.com.</P>
<P ALIGN="CENTER">###</P>
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[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "doc8k321.htm", "description": "8-K FOR EVENT ON MARCH 21, 2002", "secsgml_size_bytes": 9296}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES INC", "cik": "0001005409", "assigned-sic": "6035", "irs-number": "113297463", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0630"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-27782", "film-number": "02581910"}, "business-address": {"street1": "209 HAVEMEYER ST", "street2": "C/O DIME SAVINGS BANK OF WILLIAMSBURGH", "city": "BROOKLYN", "state": "NY", "zip": "11211", "phone": "7187826200"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "209 HAVEMEYER STREET", "city": "BROOKLYN", "state": "NY", "zip": "11211"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "DIME COMMUNITY BANCORP INC", "date-changed": "19951227"}}
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  	March 21, 2002
DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
0-27782
11-3297463
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
209 Havemeyer Street, Brooklyn, New York   11211
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:	(718) 782-6200
None
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Items 1 through 4, 6, 8 and 9.			Not Applicable.
Item 5.       	Other Events.
On March 21, 2002, the Board of Directors of Dime Community Bancshares, Inc.  (the "Company") declared a 3-for-2 stock split in the form of a 50% stock dividend on its issued common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock").  Shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 1, 2002, will receive one share of Common Stock for every two shares they own on that date.  The new shares will be distributed on April 24, 2002.  A copy of the news release announcing such action is filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7.	Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits.
No financial statements are required to be filed as part of this report.  The following exhibits are filed as part of this report.
Exhibit No.
Description
Press Release dated March 21, 2002
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
DIME COMMUNITY BANCSHARES, INC.
/s/ KENNETH J. MAHON
By:  ___________________________________________
Kenneth J. Mahon
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Dated: March 21, 2001
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Description
Press release dated March 21, 2002
EXHIBIT 99.1
NEWS RELEASE
Contact:  	Kenneth J. Mahon - Exec. VP and Chief Financial Officer
718-782-6200 extension 265
Stephanie Prince/Ian Hirsch -Morgen-Walke Associates
Press: Jennifer Linker - 212-850-5600
DIME COMMUNITY ANNOUNCES 50 PERCENT STOCK DIVIDEND
*
Second Such Stock Dividend to Be Paid in Fiscal 2002
Brooklyn, NY - March 21, 2002 - Dime Community Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: DCOM), the parent company of The Dime Savings Bank of Williamsburgh, today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a 50 percent stock dividend on its common stock having the effect of a three-for-two stock split.
Stockholders of record on April 1, 2002 will be entitled to one additional share of common stock for every two shares of the Company's common stock held on that date. Cash paid in lieu of fractional shares will be based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on the record date, as adjusted for the split.
"Our culture of paying dividends is a strong indication of our overall health and reflects our optimism regarding the outlook for the Company's performance," commented Vincent F. Palagiano, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We believe that a second stock dividend within the fiscal year ending June 30, 2002 further displays our confidence in the prospects for the Company's growth and results."
The payment date for the stock dividend will be April 24, 2002, at which time certificates for the new shares will be mailed to stockholders by the Company's transfer agent, Mellon Investor Services.
The Company had approximately 17,260,000 shares of its common stock outstanding as of February 28, 2002. As a result of the stock dividend, the Company will have approximately 25,890,000 shares of common stock outstanding.
The Company paid a similar 50% stock dividend on its common stock in August 2001.
About Dime Community Bancshares
Dime Community Bancshares, Inc., a unitary thrift holding company, is the parent company of The Dime Savings Bank of Williamsburgh, Brooklyn, New York, founded in 1864. With $2.8 billion in assets, the Bank has nineteen branches located throughout Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx and Nassau County, New York and provides financial services for consumers and businesses and loans for multi-family housing. More information on the Company and Bank can be found on the Bank's Internet website at www.dsbwdirect.com.
###