Police Community Relations Have First Meeting Of 2011/2012 Season

By Sharon Mager

The Eastern District Police Community Relations Council scheduled their first meeting of the season for 7:30pm Wednesday, September 21, at the Eastern District Police station at 3700 Mountain Road in Pasadena. This month’s special guest was a Department of Natural Resources representative who planned to speak about the drownings and accidents in Pasadena waters this past summer.

“This is going to be about what DNR was involved with in investigating drowning, boat thefts, and things of that nature,” said Sergeant Thomas Newman of Police and Community Together.

The primary emphasis will be on prevention for the future. In fact, prevention is a big part of the meetings, Newman pointed out. “That’s what is stressed; often people forget basic safety measures, so we always remind them,” he said.

The meetings offer an opportunity for the local police to interact with the community and share hot topics. It’s also a chance for the neighbors to voice their concerns.

This month, Newman said one of the concerns in the Pasadena area is an increase in car thefts. People tend to “victimize” themselves without thinking, Newman said, forgetting to lock doors, and leaving valuable things in plain view.

Police share statistics at each meeting, bringing the community up to date on crime activity. It’s also important for community members to share what’s going on in their communities too, because what’s happening in one community may be happening in another. “There may be trends that communities and the police don’t know about,” Newman said.

About 20 community groups are represented at each meeting, which includes a guest speaker, a time of sharing, and refreshments.

Newman explained the meetings are a great way to get police and community together, and he emphasized they’re not just for the community leaders, but for everyone. Newman visits five community groups each month. “I push hard for people to come,” he stated.

Special guests include local elected officials, police representatives, and others who have information community groups will find helpful.

The Police Community Relations Council began about 30 years ago. In addition to the local meetings, PCRC officers gather annually with officers from other districts to discuss crime and community topics.

Joe Elliott, a resident of Elizabeth’s Landing is the Eastern District PCRC president. The monthly meetings are held on the third Wednesday of every month at 7:30pm at 3700 Mountain Road. For information, call 410-222-6145.