City of Miami PD Community Policing

The City of Miami Florida has programs for community policing, that like many other departments involve both citizens and officers working together. The programs allow the two parties to come together are as follows.

Citizens Volunteer Program

Coffee with a cop

COPPS program

Community Service Squad

Crime Prevention Display Vehicle

Citizens Volunteer Program

 

The Citizens Volunteer Program or CVP was initiated to gain citizens interest in a program that allows them to do work for different entities and departments within the Miami Police. Duties include

• filing
• answering calls
• distributing mail
• other duties

With the exposure to police activities everyday, the participants get a real life depiction of what it is like to work as a police officer and at a police department. They hope to give the volunteers a

realistic perspective of the law enforcement system and a positive regard for the police agency and its personnel

Coffee with a Cop


Everyone knows cops love donuts and coffee! Right !? What better experience than to get to share that special time where your local police officer makes his daily trip to the donut shop. This program is actually a monthly meet and greet amongst the District Police Major and respective residents and business owners in said district. It is an informal meeting where both parties can feel comfortable.
The results have been good. An enhanced sense of relationships have been established.


COPPS Program


The COPPS Program which stands for:
Community-Oriented Policing, Practices & Strategies has specially trained officers that conduct community-oriented policing strategies to serve the many communities. They officers use bicycle or foot patrols in order to lessen the gap between citizens and police. Having the officers out of patrol cars give the sense there are no barricades between them.
Goals include

• Increasing community cooperation
• address community concerns
• specialized techniques such as truancy sweeps and school zone radar enforcement

Salem Police Department "CIU"

SPD CIU


   CIU or "Community Impact Unit" initiated in 2007 and is a part of Salem Police Department's Administrative and Auxiliary Service Division. Under command of Lt. Dennis King, this new type of unit is utilizes community policing to the max!



   The Community Impact Unit was developed specifically to identify and address incidents that impact the Salem communities. This includes the quality of life for citizens in Salem as well as communities all over the country that often come to Salem for its tourist attractions.

Notorious Halloween in Salem

Milestones accomplished by CIU include

• created innovative programs that have a direct positive impact on public disorder crimes
•  identified criminal trends and address other issues of societal concern
• Grow relations between SPD and the community

SPD CIU Link



   Recently the CIU has been adopted under the Departments Special Operations Division. There are three officers that operate the CIU with the specific idea of utilizes community policing to solve community issues. Sgt. Harry Rocheville, Sgt. Dennis King and Officer Robert Phelan work together with the citizens of Salem, businesses, the courts, other government agencies and the Department's several other divisions to maximize SPD resources to benefit the community.

Of all the officers in the CIU are all trained extensively in community relations and in many ways. Officers include

• Sgt. Rocheville: A 22 year old veteran of the PD. He spent multiple years on the Criminal Investigation Unit. He dealt with numerous complicated cases involving drug trafficking, fraud and sexual assault crimes.
• Sgt. Dennis King: Serves on the dive team and honor guard, Spent four years in The Point neighborhood as a patrolman, extensive training in defensive tactics, graffiti recognition expert and crime mapper.
• Officer Phelan: Born and raised in North Salem, on the job since 1987, graduate on Salem State University, SPD Field Training Officer FTO, also a member of the dive team





Salem's "The Point" Neighborhood

Vision and Action Plan


   The neighborhood in Salem known as "The Point" is a densely populated, low-income minorities community that has for years been neglected by the City of Salem. This area has been crime ridden and poverty stricken and finally a plan is being initiated to solve some of the issues surround "The Point".

  Geographical map of  "The Point", South of Downtown and Wharf areas

    The Point primary consists of three story, multi family homes that are in most cases in need of desperate repair. With only 144 square acres, there are over 4100 occupants in this small location. This area has been notorious for its high rate of crimes including murders, illicit drug deals, break ins and violent crimes. The ethnically diverse area has immigrant-owned business's, affordable housing and easy access to the downtown area making it a superb location for individuals who may have addictions or past crimes a place to call home.



Fatal Shooting of a 27 year old Salem man

   Recently a plan by the City and State have appropriated funding for the plan now known as the "Vision and Action Plan." The plan begun initiation in 2013 and will run through until 2020, where collaborations will work to improve The Point neighborhood.

Goals of the plan

• Empower residents to create their own community vision
• mobilize resources to ensure that the Point develops sustainably in its housing, land and environmental resources, and its economy
• Create a safe and conducive environment for young children and adults

Salem Point Vision Project



   Salem Police Departments Role in The Point

It is no surprise that with the rampant crime in this area,  that there is going to be a greater police presence. However the aim is not to simply have officers in the area solely to respond to calls of crime reports. The community policing aspect comes in to play by officers remaining in the neighborhood and embracing the local residents with relationships.

  As with any low-income, minority community, trying to establish relations between community members and respective law enforcement officers could prove a challenge. None the less,  it is critical to connect the two in order to have a safe, beneficial environment for everyone.


Flikr account of The Point!


The Point


Here's an interesting concept


An app and game have been developed for members of the community where by using it they can
electronically interacted with one another on their smart phone or computer to contribute ideas about the neighborhood. "What's the Point?" is the name of this app.


Members can

• Contribute ideas about the neighborhood
• Collect coins for participation, the coins are worth real services the will benefit the neighborhood
• Interact with one another, whereas previously they may not have had the opportunity to do so
• Discuss common issues, problems or solutions!

Interesting video on this app!

Whats the point?

Boston Police Commision William Evans on Community Policing

   Boston Police Commissioner William Evans

    For those of you who do not know who the police commissioner of Boston Police Department he is a local by the name of William Evans. Being commissioner for over two years now, Commissioner Evans has had great impacts on the department and City of Boston.

BPD news feed

    Not long ago, Evans was accredited with superbly handling the apprehension of the Marathon Bomber in Watertown. He was originally an Incident Commander on the night that the bomber was located in a boat in the backyard of a Watertown home. Evans gave the strategic order to "cease fire" on the boat for he did not want cross fire to harm the many officers that were surrounding the area. This call potential saved the lives of officers from cross fire.

Scene of the apprehension of Tsarnaev

   Now, being Commissioner, Evans has adopted a style of community policing that he says is due to his nature of being born and raised in South Boston.  Still living with his wife and two children in the same neighborhood he grew up in, Evans is a true spirit of Boston. After escaping a soon to be troubled childhood by attending religious school, Evans followed the ways of one of his older brothers and became a police officer.

Evans (Right) talks about the night in Watertown

  One event of notoriety that Evans had was during the Black Lives Matter Protest in Boston last year. Evans had recognized some of the protestors as Occupy Protestors from the previous year. He personally went down everyday and made relations with them. This a form of community policing. By Evans meeting with the protestors and learning why they are there, created trust amongst the parties instead of hatred and conflict.

Interview on Boston Black Lives Matter Protest

  One of the protestors who had gotten to know Evans on a face to face basis, Duncan McKenna, even ask Evans to write him a letter of recommendation to college. Evans of which replied,  “Oh yes, I’d be happy to." In an interview Evans claims it is his humble origins that allow for him to adopt this kind of community policing and helping others succeed.

   Another significant element on Evan's community policing tactics, are his theories and strategies in dealing with minorities groups. His theory is that by using "dialogue" and talking out issues with officers and minority groups, violence could be reduced. Michael Curry, the NAACP Boston branch president says,

“I get the impression he wants his legacy to be a commissioner that knows he wants his officers to engage people differently, Whether that will happen, whether that culture will change for some cops who do that I don’t know, but I’m anxious and excited to see a commissioner that’s willing to have the conversation and willing to demand more of his officers as they engage our communities.”

Curry and Evans work together on a social task force to review police stops of minoritys to ensure that there are not disproportionate stops of black or Hispanics residents.

NYPD Community Programs

NYPD Community Affairs

   New York City has the largest police force in the world with over 35,000 officers. For all of these officers to properly serve the communities of New York, community oriented policing programs are essential. That is exactly what was created early in the departments history and still continues to evolve today.

   In the 1940s what is now known as Precinct Community Councils were formed for communities  and police in New York City. They are forums where community members serve as councilors and meet regularly with police precinct officials to discuss problems in their respective community.

    There are eighty six council members that represent each of the precincts of New York Police. The meetings are monthly and the public is welcomed and encouraged to attend. This is a great program by the NYPD that utilizes community oriented policing tactics to bring members of individual communities in contact with the police officers who serve them.

Link to NYPD Community Affairs page

NY Community Affairs

   Another program developed by the NYPD to use community policing is known as Civilian Observation Patrol or COP. COP is a new form of a neighborhood watch program. It involves volunteer citizens to act as eyes and ears and to patrol their neighborhoods and report to the police any suspicious or criminal activity. They can assist in emergencies and report and observe incidents, conditions and crimes. The best part of this program is the deterrence of criminals. With having a constant group of people acting along side of police, an even bigger force is present which keeps criminals at bay.

   Yet another program the NYPD offers in a ride along program. Citizens are able to do a two hour ride along with an officer on their tour of duty. I feel very strongly about this program due to the nature that not many people understand what officers must face and endure in this day and age. With constant hate of the police, many people do not understand that the police are not there to cause them harm or trouble. They are their to protect and serve and often times, to do this life and death decisions must be made in split seconds. By having citizens out and observing what officers do first hand, perhaps a better understanding and respect will be given.

Link to ride along program!

Ride along

Salem State University PD Community Policing

Salem State University Police Department

  


   SSUPD has twenty nine full time staff consisting of sworn officers, communications officers and administrative staff. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts grants police authority to officers, giving them the same authority and powers as local and state police in or upon the land and structures owned or occupied by the university.

   As mentioned in my previous post, this department also utilizes community policing tactics in their mission to provide a safe and productively learning environment for students at Salem State. The department offers all the same services that a local or state agency would offer, however some of the extra services offered to students are exceptional. SSUPD utilizes community policing tactics to teach students various courses and grow relations between the department of students and faculty at the university. SSUPD offers three programs that can benefit everyone! They are as follows:


-R.A.D or Rape Aggression Defense
-Operation I.D.
-Personal Safety


   R.A.D or Rape Aggression Defense system is a system designed to teach women realistic, self-defense tactics that can be used in a variety of situations. By teaching women various types of defense concepts and techniques to fight back against different assaults, creates a safer place for everyone. Salem State PD offers this program for all students and faculty free of charge as it is put on by certified RAD instructors from all over the country. The benefits of participating in such a program are endless but the main point is that once educated on self defense from attackers and how to utilize natural "fight or flight" tendencies, a victim could potentially change their perspective and reactions in certain situations they may encounter.

And the best part! You get to beat up the instructors!

Click here to see a RAD class in action!

RAD class

Another program offered by the SSUPD is known as operation ID. Officers are offering the opportunity to have your personal valuables engraved. This service is very useful and could be the difference of having to spend your hard earned money replacing stolen or lost property. Operation ID is fast growing at many colleges and universities around the country. By having your laptop, cell phone, TV, bicycle engraved with a personal number and logged into a computer, a lost or stolen item could potentially be returned to its rightful owner. Officers at Salem State as well as many local agencies and agencies across the country can enter in the number of a found or recovered item into a national database and retrieve the owners information. This great system allows for it to be quickly returned and in time hopefully put a stop to theft.

The link below is directly to the SSUPD Operation ID site

SSUPD

   Yet another program offered by SSUPD is Personal Safety classes. These classes teach you to notice things and to change certain bad habits to that affect your own safety. This includes leaving doors or windows unlocked, being a victim of a date rape drug put into your drink, walking in dark, unlit areas and more. By listening to different situations you could face, you can think about how to avoid negative circumstances. Talking with an SSU officer can defiantly help make you a safer person.



A new era of law enforcment: Community Policing

Growing relations and working together

   Community Policing is a relatively new form of policing used by local and state law enforcement agencies around the country. It was developed in the early 1970's after a decade of social unrest with communities and the police during the 1960's due to distrust, lack of communication and police brutality.


                             A video on Community Policing!


   Though the definition is ever-evolving the most current one used by the Department of Justice (DOJ) says:


"Community policing focuses on crime and social disorder through the delivery of police services that includes aspects of traditional law enforcement, as well as prevention, problem-solving, community engagement, and partnerships. The community policing model balances reactive responses to calls or service with proactive problem-solving centered on the causes of crime and disorder. Community policing requires police and citizens to join together as partners in the course of both identifying and effectively addressing these issues."


Though the actual definition is long, it can be broken down into three key parts.

1. Community Partnerships
2. Organizational Transformation
3. Problem Solving

                                      

"COPS" guide to community Policing!

  

   To Break down the three aspects I will start with community partnerships. The basis of community partnerships is collaborating and growing relationships and connections with individuals, organizations, small business, people in local schools, the elderly and everyone else in a certain community. This is done so by members of a community feeling they can go to the police more often when they have concerns. A sense of trust and friendship is sure to be gained when officers and community members know each other on a first name or face to face basic.

Getting to know community members

The second aspect, organizational transformation means to use all available means of service a department offers to their respective community. By having organization of policies and procedures that the public can benefit and utilize is key to a proactive working environment amongst both parties. Departments often will offer:

• Citizens academy
• Self defense courses
• Informational meetings on town by-laws
• Sporting events and gatherings

Danvers High School Resource Officer Steve Baldasarre

The final aspect of problem solving is one of the most important. Once there are relationships gained between police and community, problems that people feel need to be addressed are then reported to the police and thus dealt with in a beneficial way. Even when these problems are minute, by having a close working relationship with police, they can be examined and address. Often times, small crimes or problems will go unaddressed for people think it is bothersome to the police to have them deal with it.

Beverly Police Department Annual Toy Drive

   As a Special Police Officer in the town of Danvers, one way the department utilizes community policing is to engage the youth of the town in various activities with the police department. There are many family events throughout the summer that have a strong police presence to get the department together with the community. There are "touch a truck events" where police and fire have vehicles available for tours and learning.

 These bonds allow for kids to feel safe and comfortable when talking to police whether its at school, downtown or simply anywhere!

   My department is the Marine Patrol Unit. We do a lot of community policing. We often give tours of our patrol boats, do demonstrations of first aid, fire fighting, dewatering and other marine operations for the local boy scout troops and police explorer programs. 

   One community policing activity done by Danvers Marine Patrol is known as "Santa by Sea." It is put on every December a week before Christmas where we pull up to the town dock with Santa and his elves on the patrol boat. Local business's donate their time, food and hot chocolate. Families are able to take pictures with Santa. A large crowd is always drawn and gives my department's officers a chance to meet locals of the town and establish forever bonds.


 
Here is the link to fun Danvers Family Fest activities 2016!


                                           Danvers Family Festival Links