Local law enforcement agencies get involved with the community

By Kelsey Stiglitz, JD News
Original article HERE

Many of Onslow County’s men and women in uniform are involved in the community beyond their job. From events like Coffee with a Cop to Running with the Law, local law enforcement agencies are able to establish themselves in the community.

In Swansboro, officers stopped for pancakes at the Swansboro Rec Center Monday and shared a meal as part of fellowship designed for adults with special needs.

Amber Carter, who attended to eat pancakes and meet with police, said she enjoyed herself.

“They’re all really nice,” Carter said. “I used to have friends who were military police and it’s like you want to know everything — when they go to court and stuff — but you can’t.”

Swansboro Police Chief Ken Jackson said the department is trying to host more community outreach events like Pancakes with the Police in effort to get to know people better.

blish relationships with the community, Purcell said. Jacksonville Police Chief Mike Yaniero agreed, saying community policing brings together police and citizens to prevent crime.

“Together, in partnership, the community and police department work together to achieve a common goal of a safer, better place to live which ultimately improves the quality of life for all our citizens,” Yaniero said.

The Onslow County Sheriff’s Office has its own programs, like Town Hall meetings and Neighborhood Watch. According to to OCSO Col. Donnie Worrell, the town hall meetings are held quarterly to allow community members to learn about the office and voice their concerns.

“Sheriff Miller decided he wanted to have more open communication with society, so this is a way of listening and getting their input,” Worell said.

At the meetings, the sheriff will introduce his administration staff, explain their roles and then open it to question and answer format.

“Especially in talking about the heroin and opioid problems we’re having, we’ll talk about those and what we do,” Worell said.

Additionally, Worell said the town hall meetings allow community members to voice their concerns and get an idea of how certain issues can be handled by the sheriff’s office. On the prevention side, the sheriff’s office allows communities to participate in community watch, which helps members monitor their own neighborhoods.

“They’re the eyes and ears for us because they’re going to see more than we can see,” Worell said.

And, Worell said it can pay off to have someone looking out, especially when you’re out of town or on vacation.

“Nowadays it’s great to have a nosy neighbor. (You have) somebody to keep an eye on your property if you’re going out of town or something like that,” Worell said.

In Holly Ridge, the police department is involved in community outreach programs for the schools, like the Able Buddies program and a book program for elementary students. Police Chief Keith Whaley said books are gathered for first and fourth graders every spring, and then officers distribute the books and read to the class.

“We visit each classroom, on average there’s about eight classrooms with 20-plus students,” Whaley said.

Officers from Holly Ridge also participate in the public safety class offered by the high schools, and Whaley said he instructs students in safe driving and the dangers of driving while under the influence.

Although the Holly Ridge Police Department does not schedule public networking events, Whaley said he keeps an open door policy.

“I like the idea (Coffee with a Cop) but that’s something that everybody does — I tell people ‘My door’s always open and we have a coffee maker here, we’ll make coffee and have a meeting,’” Whaley said.

The North Topsail Beach Police Department is involved in outreach programs through the county, but does not offer its own programs. North Topsail Beach police department did not return a request for comment by deadline.

For some departments, the bond is already there. According to Richlands Police Chief Ron Lindig, many officers join local “breakfast clubs” at Richlands restaurants where everyone already knows each other.

“That’s nice because it’s a small town when you go into the Piggly Wiggly it’s the same group to say hello,” Lindig said.

Previously, Lindig would walk with members of the community in town, but said he has not been doing it lately. He joked he would have to join one of the crowds eating breakfast soon because of his age.

“I don’t know which one yet,” Lindig laughed. “But I will say … have a seat and eat with us (if you see us) because we don’t want to turn anyone away.”

Coming up, the Jacksonville Department of Public Safety will be hosting Running with the Law Aug. 4 and National Night Out Aug. 7. Running with the Law, a 5K and 8K race to benefit the N.C. Special Olympics, will be held at 7:30 a.m. Aug. 4 at 100 Recreation Lane in Jacksonville. The race is open to the public and officers from various local agencies will be competing in uniform.

National Night Out, a free event to promote crime prevention, will be held 5-9 p.m. Aug. 7 at Riverwalk Park, located at 421 Court St. in Jacksonville. The night will include vendors, music, a bicycle giveaway and fireworks to top it off, according to the Jacksonville Public Safety Facebook page.

“The community connection is important in solving the community problems and issues,” Yaniero said. “We need their help to prevent crime from occurring.”