Getting Involved
by Sgt. Bruce Sherden, ESPNA COPPS Officer

As I tried to decide on a topic for a column for the ESPNA Newsletter, I always try to think about something that is relevant and that people can relate to. In the past I've written about laws and Rochester Police Department policies that people may not be aware of and that I have been asked about as I work the neighborhood. There are so many laws, and the RPD manual is two volumes thick. I can't expect the general public to know everything when it takes the average police officer years to be versed in all the written laws and policies that govern how to perform his or her job.

For this newsletter, I decided to not write about a law or policy, but to touch on some of my experiences the past two years since I became involved with the ESPNA  and community policing. One of the reasons I chose the Eastside as my beat was because I knew that it had an active neighborhood association. I had seen an article in the paper that named the ESPNA officers and I decided to sit in on a couple of meetings. I was impressed with what I heard and decided that I'd like to work with the Association, and I chose the neighborhood as my permanent assignment.

In addition to working the neighborhood, I wear many hats when it comes to my role on the department. Some of you may wonder about me when you haven't seen or heard from me for a while. It's not that I've abandoned the neighborhood but that I'm busy with my other responsibilities. I spend a significant amount of time attending meetings within the community and representing the department. I talk to a number of agencies and try to network with them to improve police relations and try to develop rapport with them in the event that the police would call on them for their assistance. Sometimes there aren't enough hours in my shift to get everything done that I need to get done.

One thing that I hear time after time from agencies is that they are seeking input from neighborhoods. The trend for the '90's and into the next millennium is for agencies, the police included, to reach out and listen to the needs of the neighborhoods. Too often over the past few decades, agencies felt that they could decide what's best and that input from the general public wasn't needed. This was certainly true for law enforcement agencies. After years of struggling to keep up with the climbing crime rate, law enforcement decided that they can't do it alone. This may seem like common sense to you, but there was a belief that the police could overcome the obstacles that they face with fancy tactics and technology. We seemed to forget that a lot of what we do deals with communication with the public.

Basically, being able to talk to people is a major element of our job. Without input from the public and a willingness of the public to talk to the police, we'd be hamstrung in our ability to effectively do our job.

Besides the police, other agencies are following this "community orientated" philosophy. Prosecution, probation and justice movements are a few that are really looking for input from neighborhoods and the public. There is a lot to be gained by opening up the lines of communication. We need to know what your issues and concerns are and what you feel is important.

I won't be a very effective neighborhood officer if I go off and do my own thing and ignore the concerns of the residents. If all I concern myself with is making the big case, I won't take time to deal with the smaller issues that really effect the tranquility of the neighborhood. The police need to reprioritize things and listen to the people.

The point I'm so slowly working towards is this: Get involved with the Neighborhood Association. You may not realize how loud a voice it can have. Neighborhood Associations carry clout. They get the attention of agencies that can have influence on your quality of life. There is strength in numbers. Look at the re-zoning issue that was unanimously passed at the City Council.

The feedback obtained is that they enjoyed hearing from a neighborhood that wasn't just reacting to some proposed project that they objected to. What the ESPNA did was proactive, not reactive. By requesting some re-zoning, the neighborhood was able to have influence on future developments within the neighborhood that would affect the quality of life of its residents. And it all happened because some people decided to get involved and do something.

It doesn't take much. An hour or two here and there is enough. If enough people are involved, the hours add up quickly. And it avoids a few certain people getting stuck with all the work. SO VOLUNTEER. By being involved, it keeps the Association moving forward and continuing to try to improve the neighborhood. And when major issues arise that get everyone worked up, the Association is already a fixture and organized so that it can react. In the meantime, enjoy the social aspect and continue working to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood.