Description
Check for grammar and sentence structure
Unformatted Attachment Preview
Community policing includes building relationships with community stakeholders
through ongoing communication and interaction during non-traditional police and
resident engagement. A key component of that engagement is being available,
listening, and timely and proactive follow-ups to address community concerns.
In 2023, we demonstrated our continued commitment to community policing through an allhands-on deck approach to town events and activities. All sworn and civilian personnel worked
together to organize and staff nearly every town community event to include the annual 4th of
July Celebration, Halloween, and the Christmas Tree Lighting. We also hosted two
“Movie Night in the Park” events in the spring and fall of the year. In August,
National Night Out was well attended with fun-filled activities for the entire
family. In the fall we handed out “Dignity Bags” for individuals experiencing home
insecurity for the third year. Captain Graddy and Ms. Gilead continued to provide
“free” notary services for Town residents. The police department also conducted
security surveys. In response to the TikTok Hyundai Challenge of stealing Hyundai
vehicles we provided free steering wheel locks to community members throughout
the year. University Park is a walkable town as community members are outside
walking, biking, and jogging. Our community engagement efforts were flexible,
adaptable and at times became very situational. An example of this occurred when a
bear visited University Park as young children walked to school and residents were
out walking their dogs. An officer tracked the bear throughout the Town, while
another officer cautioned dog walkers to be careful as we had a young bear running
through the town. We also sent out a message to community message that was
“liked” and shared on social media to other jurisdictions up and down the Baltimore
Avenue corridor.
We continued to utilize different mediums to ensure we maintained ongoing and
credible communication with Town residents. The Chief’s Blog, Chief’s Column in
the monthly newsletter along with the Town’s website were used extensively to
communicate the latest police department news and information. In 2023, we
launched Nixle Alerts, an insta-gram account and restarted our Facebook page.
Each employee understands the critical importance of community engagement and
the foundational role it plays in keeping the residents and visitors of University Park
safe. Cpl. Georgia Miltenberger, our community policing officer received
Professional Law Enforcement Community Engagement Certification. We are
encouraged by the challenges in today’s policing and energized to provide the best
municipal police service possible. The University Park Police is dedicated and
committed to being a part of ongoing community wellness through active and
meaningful community engagement activities.
Purchase answer to see full
attachment
