Community Policing
"Law enforcement has found community policing to be a critical component of responding to crime, gang activity and homeland security."
Carl R. Peed, Director, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
An idea for the times, community policing is a collaborative effort between the police and the community that identifies problems of crime and disorder and involves all elements of the community in the search for solutions to these problems. A practical approach, community policing offers law enforcement a way to help re-energize our communities by seeking the input and talents of all members of the community in the effort to safeguard our neighborhoods. Community policing officers work hard to connect with their constituency. They are assigned to the same areas every day, they get to know the local merchants and residents alike. Often they meet with community membership organizations and school groups. These uniformed professionals frequently hand out informational materials, stickers, coloring books and such as reminders of their main message: we all have to work together. A whistle is a powerful handout to offer to community members of all ages. From young to old and everyone in between, a whistle will stay around, never break or be discarded. They are genuinely appreciated for the quality and the role they play in community safety programs. Putting a safety whistle into the hands of community members not only delivers a practical safety tool, but with a custom imprint on the top of the whistle, it reminds individuals of not only who gave them the whistle, but also that they are responsible for their own safety as well as the safety of those throughout their community.
Additional community policing resources: